FC Augsburg 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup and predictions

FC Augsburg’s 2025-26 season was a tale of two halves for the most part. The season started with newly appointed Sandro Wagner at the helm, claiming a 3-1 win over SC Freiburg in his first test. It seemed like the club’s move towards a youthful, adventurous coach would merge nicely with the board’s desires.

But no sooner had the season started, the slide ensued. Augsburg would claim just two wins up until then end of November. There was a brief point in time where an under-pressure Wagner looked to have saved his job with a narrow win over HSV. Ultimately, a 3-0 loss to TSG Hoffenheim closed the curtains on Wagner’s rein. 

Teetering just above the relegation zone, the incoming Manuel Baum pulled the club through to the new year. They soon found their groove, losing just 5 games beyond mid-January. The highlight of the campaign came in a 2-1 win over Bavarian rivals FC Bayern, and European football could have been achieved barring a form dip in March. 

Pre-season preparations

With Baum still at the helm, Augsburg returned to official pre-season training on 13 July 2026 with routine medical checks and light sessions. Their opening friendly clash finished in a 1-1 draw with Saarbrucken, with Mert Kömür striking late for parity. That preceded a heavy 5-2 defeat to Premier League outfit Bournemouth a week later. 

The following day, the Fuggerstadters headed off on their official training camp in Achenkirch near Achensee, Austria for the first week of August. Third tier Austrian side FC Schwaz were punished 15-0, before Augsburg secured a come from behind 3-2 victory over Sassuolo with goals from Fellhauer, Kade and Behrens. 

Some of their defensive frailties were exploited in their final test at Elland Road. Another Premier League powerhouse in Leeds United made light work of Manuel Baum’s side in a 4-0 rout. While there were plenty of positives, Augsburg will need to be on their game for their Bundesliga opener against newly promoted Schalke.

Transfers

It’s fair to say FC Augsburg’s transfer activity this summer has been limited but equally effective. On the outgoing side, Dimitrios Giannoulis (30) was sold to PAOK for €4.25m, with Cedric Zesiger offloaded for €3.5m to Young Boys Bern. The loss of Elvis Rexhbecaj on a free to VfL Wolfsburg is perhaps the only frustrating departure. 

Finding a solution to loan Elias Saad to Nashville SC was smart given the Tunisian never settled into Augsburg’s plans after his move from FC St.Pauli. Meanwhile, the arrival of Hennes Behrens for €3.5m covers the left flank. The 21-year-old impressed on loan for 1.FC Heidenheim and looks likely to maintain that form for Augsburg. 

Rodrigo Ribiero’s loan from Sporting Lisbon was made permanent for €5m and ought to compete with Michael Gregoritsch up top. The Austrian has also been captured for €700,000 after netting 6 goals on loan from Brondby. Calvin Brackelmann (Paderborn, free) and Sima Suso (Dusseldorf, €1.6m) pad out the squad giving Baum options. 

Predicted starting lineup

Perhaps the greatest string to Manuel Baum’s bow is the versatility within their squad. Finn Dahmen should start behind a back-three of Matsima, Schlotterbeck and Banks, although Brackelmann should be vying for a starting berth. Robin Fellhauer might have the edge over Marius Wolf on the right with Hennes Behrens as the left wing-back. 

Massengo and Rieder ought to pull the strings in the midfield four, with rising star Anton Kade set to partner Mert Kömür behind the striker. Should the latter depart as a late transfer, Rieder or Claude-Maurice likely fills in, with Michael Gregoritsch tipped to lead the line given his greater Bundesliga experience compared to Ribeiro. 

Predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Dahmen – Matsima, Schlotterbeck, Banks – Fellhauer, Massengo, Rieder, Behrens – Kade, Kömür – Gregoritsch

Prediction for the upcoming season

Depending on the possibility of late transfers away from the club, Augsburg are well positioned to have a similar level of success to last season. Manuel Baum got a fine tune out of the squad and seems to have a strong understanding of their strengths. Shoring up their defensive frailties from pre-season is paramount for now. 

Given the quality of teams who finished above them in the 2025-26 campaign, breaking through that ceiling into the European places ought to be difficult. Still, there would be no shock if Augsburg finish between 8th- and 11th-place in late May of 2027. With only domestic football to focus on, stranger things have happened.