Seventh place, just one point behind the relegation play-off spot. And yet, Stefan Leitl had to vacate his position as head coach last December. The belief that Hannover 96 could challenge for promotion in this configuration was no longer fully present, according to a press release from Hannover at the time. André Breitenreiter was appointed his successor. However, under the new head coach, they have only managed three wins from twelve second-half matches – meaning they currently sit ninth and are four points behind the relegation play-off spot. Added to this was a bitter 3-1 defeat against Elversberg and the serious fracture of both the tibia and fibula of Jessic Ngankam, Hannover's second-best goalscorer. In our opponent check, we provide you with everything you need to know about Hannover 96.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Nicolò Tresoldi – 6 Goals | Enzo Leopold – 4 Assists |
| Jessic Ngankam – 4 Goals | Nicolò Tresoldi – 3 Assists |
| Hyun-ju Lee – 3 Goals | Andreas Voglsammer – 2 Assists |
| Marcel Halstenberg – 3 Goals | Havard Nielsen – 2 Assists |
| Andreas Voglsammer – 2 Goals | Jannik Rochelt – 2 Assists |
What do Felix Magath, Bushido, a three-meter-long beer table, and currywurst with fries have in common? At first glance: Nothing. At second glance: André Breitenreiter, current head coach of Hannover 96.
From an early age, football was more than just a hobby for Breitenreiter – it was a family affair. His father graded his son’s performance after every game – and the reward was often currywurst with fries. It became clear early on: If you want to be successful, you have to work hard. And Breitenreiter did just that. As a player, he played for Hamburger SV, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hannover 96, among others. In Hamburg, he met a coach who had a lasting influence on him: Felix Magath. „He was a role model for me in terms of fitness, fairness, and commitment,“ Breitenreiter recalls.
Later, he would embody these virtues himself as a coach. With SC Paderborn, he achieved the much-acclaimed promotion to the Bundesliga, and later did the same with Hannover 96. With Schalke 04, he even reached the Europa League – and was fired despite his sporting success. The reasons were less on the pitch than interpersonal: „I took the personal propaganda against me very seriously,“ Breitenreiter once said in a Sport1 interview. On the way home, he processed his frustration with loud support from rapper Bushido – all alone in the car.
Breitenreiter celebrated his most emotional triumph to date in 2022 with FC Zurich: After 13 years without a title, he surprisingly led the club to the championship. The team bus shook with emotion, tears flowed, and assistant coach Alain Nef provided arguably the most spectacular celebratory moment of the evening: a three-meter dive over a beer-soaked beer table, complete with a forward roll. Also on hand as Breitenreiter’s assistant coach at the time was Darius Scholtysik, now assistant coach at the Lilies under Florian Kohfeldt.
André Breitenreiter is not only a meticulous worker, but also a guy with rough edges and stories to tell – someone who stands up for his path, stays true to himself, and shows the football world that professionalism and personality are not mutually exclusive. Hannover is now the next chapter of a career spanning the Bundesliga, Bushido, and beer tables.
It will likely be a difficult match for Darmstadt 98’s attackers: Hannover 96 boasts the best defence in the 2. Bundesliga this season. With just 30 goals conceded, no team has conceded fewer. Furthermore, the Lower Saxony side is very aggressive yet fair: Despite committing the third-most fouls, Andre Breitenreiter’s team has received only 64 cards. This figure is only surpassed by Elversberg (63) and Fürth (62).
Ron-Robert Zieler likes Christmas to be kitsch. Fairy lights, glitter balls, and plenty of family time – the 2014 World Cup winner lives the holidays wholeheartedly. But what sounds so cozy and quiet today wasn’t always so. The path to this? A football adventure with stops along the way, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Alex Ferguson, and a World Cup win in Brazil.
At just 16, Zieler moved from Köln to Manchester United – into the heart of the football world of superstars. There, he trained with greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy, lived with an English host family, and experienced the rough and tumble English routine of a world-class club.
Zieler’s professional breakthrough didn’t come in Manchester, however, but later in 2011 at Hannover 96 under Mirko Slomka. Within six months, the talented goalkeeper became the first-choice goalkeeper – and shortly thereafter, even a national team goalkeeper. Joachim Löw nominated him for the German national team. And in 2014, Zieler crowned himself a World Cup winner as a reserve goalkeeper in Brazil.
After the title, his path led him back to England: Leicester City was his destination in 2016, before returning to Hannover 96 via VfB Stuttgart. After a loan spell with 1. FC Köln, he returned permanently to Lower Saxony in 2021 – where his heart probably lies most in sporting terms.
Today, Ron-Robert Zieler is not only an experienced defender between the sticks, but also a player who has experienced just about everything: childhood dreams in Manchester, World Cup gold in Brazil, Christmas romance in the living room. He calls Hannover his home. „Ron is a face of this club. He has helped shape Hannover 96 over the past few years,“ says 96 sporting director Marcus Mann about his goalkeeper. „As captain, he takes on a lot of responsibility, is an important contact in the dressing room for all his teammates and for me too. And last but not least: He’s played a consistently high level throughout the season.“
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.