Ben Boyd

The conundrum surrounding Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge of Bayer Leverkusen From pessimism within the Leverkusen ranks to an overhaul of the playing squad, it is difficult to define what success may look like as ten Hag replaces Xabi Alonso.

Bayer Leverkusen’s future under Erik ten Hag is a mystery. It’s difficult to predict their fortunes, but in my latest newsletter, I aim to do just that. ⬇️

👑 Replacing ‘King Xabi’

🧳 Transfer exodus of key players

🇳🇱 EtH’s fine body of work with young players

open.substack.com/pub/thegerma...

The conundrum surrounding Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge of Bayer Leverkusen From pessimism within the Leverkusen ranks to an overhaul of the playing squad, it is difficult to define what success may look like as ten Hag replaces Xabi Alonso.

I’m not quite sure what to expect from Bayer Leverkusen this season, after so much change and unparalleled success. I delve into the conundrum the Werkself face in my latest newsletter. #B04 ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/thegerma...

Brilliant opener for Fortuna. I think they’re going to be a very interesting team to watch this season. 1-0. #DSCF95

The entirety of 2.Bundesliga’s MD1 has not been shown on standard television, or the rights holder’s YouTube channel in the UK. Nothing has been announced for the future either. I’ve seen others say it’s the case in other countries, too. Simply not good enough.

The Best Second Division In Europe? 2. Bundesliga About To Kick Off German football is set to return this weekend. On Friday, powerhouses Schalke and Hertha Berlin kick off the 51st 2. Bundesliga season.

Perhaps the best second division in the world? The 2. Bundesliga is set to kick off this weekend.

My preview for @forbes.com
www.forbes.com/sites/manuel...

Jako are not missing this season. Banger after banger.

Former Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and German national team assistant coach Danny Röhl has left Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. www.swfc.co.uk/news/2025/ju...

🗓️ February 13, 2025 - Diant Ramaj makes his Copenhagen debut in the Conference League against Heidenheim.

🗓️ July 28, 2025 - Ramaj joins Heidenheim, one of his former youth clubs, on-loan from Borussia Dortmund. Familiar face. 🤝

He’d also committed himself to the club fairly recently, which now makes his sudden and desperate desire to move on, very strange. Ten Hag also wanted him to stay. But, it’s a good fee and Leverkusen have to act on a replacement, and on other areas.

The Granit Xhaka situation is quite baffling. Undoubtedly a good signing for Sunderland, and an absolute stalwart in the 23/24 season for Leverkusen. He was much less consistent last season, perhaps due to the sheer quantity of football he played.

Five Bundesliga signings you should probably know about this summer Forget Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The most interesting business is being done elsewhere in the German top-flight.

The fun thing about the Bundesliga is that every summer the mid-table clubs hoover up dozens of exciting, young players. This year is on different.

My five favourite signings from outside of Bayern, Dortmund, etc 👇

gegenpressing.substack.com/p/five-bunde...

Jesper Lindström is set for a return to the Bundesliga. He will link up with the strong Danish contingent at VfL Wolfsburg.

Lindström spent two years at Eintracht Frankfurt before Napoli signed him for €30m.

Four players from Germany’s U21 squad to keep an eye on next season Germany’s next generation of stars made their mark on their way to the final of the Under-21 European Championships in Slovakia.

Florian Plettenberg has reported that Rocco Reitz has committed his future to #BMG ahead of next season. He featured as one of the four Germany U21 players who impressed at the Euros ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/thegerma...

That was pure heart thumping football tension. Nothing contrived or artificial about it.

A Hertha BSC sticker on a lamppost in rainy Newcastle, with the Glasshouse and Tyne Bridge in the background.

A Dynamo Dresden sticker on a sign in Newcastle with the Tyne Bridge in the background on a rainy day.

🌧️ #BSC x #SGD.

ICYMI: my breakdown of the DFL’s 24/25 spectator report. ⬇️

Derek Rae on 50 Plus Döner showing off his commentator sheet.

Thank you everyone for the support for our show with @raecomm.bsky.social.

Great way to kick off another season of 50 Plus Döner.

If you missed the show, you can watch it whenever you want here.

www.youtube.com/live/ivnO4JO...

DFL Spectator Report 24/25: Nearly 21 million spectators at Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga games sets attendance record The 24/25 Bundesliga & 2.Bundesliga season recorded the highest attendances ever in Germany, almost 21 million, the DFL confirms.

In my latest newsletter for The Germans Always Win I break down the DFL‘s 24/25 spectator report, a fascinating insight into the stats behind attendance, ticket sales and affordability. ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/thegerma...

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Julien Duranville’s injury requires surgery and he’ll be out for an unspecified period of time. His Borussia Dortmund career has marred by long-term injuries, but he’s still only 19-years-old.

Under Niko Kovač, he may be given a new lease of life, but a fresh injury is so unfortunate. #BVB

Yeah, that’s fair. Plus, there was and is still a lot of competition in his position so I think it suits everyone.

SC Freiburg have signed Igor Matanović from Eintracht Frankfurt. Sky Germany report that the fee is around €8m.

A decent sale for SGE, all things considered. But, I don’t believe he was given a true chance to shine following his successful loan spell at Karlsruhe. Freiburg could be the place.

The Kicker Monday cover has „Woltemade 100 million?“
„Bayern wants him badly. VfB demands a huge transfer fee. What „Big Nick“ excels at in the aftermath of his remarkable performance uptick.“

ICYMI: My piece on four outstanding young players to watch next season. ⬇️

Four players from Germany’s U21 squad to keep an eye on next season Germany’s next generation of stars made their mark on their way to the final of the Under-21 European Championships in Slovakia.

Four players from Germany’s #U21EURO squad of rising stars you may want to keep on your radar next season.
open.substack.com/pub/thegerma...

It’s into extra time in Slovakia. Germany were a whisker away from winning it at the death, but the crossbar denied them. 2-2. #ENGGER

Mainzer Doppelpack, Paul Nebel levels the game. 2-2 with just under half an hour to play. Much, much better from Germany in the second half. #ENGGER

Nelson Weiper lowers the deficit! 2-1 at the break. Brilliant header. What a time to score for Germany, who were second best for much of that first half. Big second half coming up. #ENGGER

Down*.

Horrific start to the U21 Euro Final for Germany, who find themselves 2-0 up inside half an hour. Di Salvo‘s side need to find the quality they‘ve shown all tournament, and quickly. #ENGGER