VfL Osnabrück 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup & predictions

VfL Osnabrück enjoyed a dream-like 2025-26 campaign to finish top of the table, claiming the 3.Liga title and crucially gain promotion to the 2.Bundesliga in the process. They also had six points to spare over runner-up Energie Cottbus. 

With 24 wins, 8 draws and only 6 defeats over the course of the campaign, Osnabrück will undoubtedly be hoping to maintain that level of consistency into the 2026/27 campaign albeit against stronger opposition. 

Under the tutelage of head coach Timo Schultz, the 48-year-old required a solitary season to bring only a third-ever third division title to the club from Lower Saxony, who picked up momentum as the season went on.

Coupled with some interesting signings over the summer thus far, fans of Die Lila-Weißen (The Purple-Whites) have reason to be optimistic as about competing in the Bundesrepublik's second tier.

Transfers

On the departures front, perhaps the biggest name to leave VfL Osnabrück this summer is Lars Kehl. The 24-year-old was their most creative player last season, contributing 11 assists and 8 goals. SV Darmstadt 98 have since snapped him up for free after his contract expired. 

Goalkeeper Lukas Jonsson has also returned home to his native Sweden with Djurgarden. The 32-year-old played every minute of Osnabrück's league campaign, keeping an impressive 19 clean sheets – he also leaves on a free transfer. 

As for arrivals, Osnabrück's most important bit of business has been the retention of Robin Meißner. After netting 14 goals alongside 9 assists last season, the 25-year-old's loan from SG Dynamo Dresden has been made permanent for a modest €200,000 fee. 

Werder Bremen prospect Leon Optiz joins the club on loan. Despite struggling for minutes and form at Karlsruhe SC last season, the 21-year-old attacker clearly has shown promise with 18 goals in 14 appearances for Bremen's reserves. 

Kiel shot-stopper Jonas Krumrey looks set to start the new season in goals. Meanwhile, the arrivals of ex-Stuttgart talent Luca Raimund as well as free agent defenders Joel Abu Hanna (Levadiakos) and Konrad Faber (Dynamo Dresden) could prove beneficial.

Pre-season

VfL Osnabrück have had a relatively short and sweet pre-season thus far. Schultz has spent the bulk of their six-week buildup integrating new faces. An slender 1-0 defeat to Czechia side Jablonec gave the players their first run out in mid-July.

Oberliga Niedersachen outfit Nordhorn proved no match for the Lower Saxony club, in which Leon Optiz netted a hattrick. Further goals from David Kopacz, Konrad Faber and a Bernd Riesselmann brace secured a 7-0 win. 

Pushing into August, Osnabrück got more minutes in their legs against SC Paderborn. Mika Baur and Vigo Wernet struck for the newly promoted Bundesliga side either side of half-time. A good test ahead of their opening league clash with 1.FC Heidenheim.

Predicted lineups 

One of the key strings to VfL Osnabrück's bow is the abundance of versatility within their squad. Timo Schultz has multiple options for each position which could be favourable if players pick up injuries or lose form. 

The likes of Ismail Badjie, despite being just 19 years of age, has been trusted by Schultz regularly, while the likes of David Kopacz will undoubtedly be pushing for a start alongside a handful of new arrivals. 

Predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Krumrey – Fabinski, Müller, Abu Hanna – Kammerbauer, Wagner, Jacobsen, Wensing – Badjie, Optiz – Meißner

Predictions

A lot will be learned from Osnabrück's opening fixture of the 2.Bundesliga campaign, away to 1.FC Heidenheim on Saturday, 8 August. A positive result there could really sow the seed of confidence that this team can mix it with the big guns as a newly promoted side. 

Germany's second division is often infamously hard to predict, but the logical answer would suggest that the Lower Saxony club should be battling for survival. Perhaps the wily nature of Schultz and his ability get the best out of his squad could ensure respectable finish above the drop zone.