Augsburg Part Ways with Wagner After Five-Month Reign

What happened

Augsburg fired coach Sandro Wagner on Monday over poor results, ending a short, disappointing spell for the former national team assistant.

Wagner, 38, lasted just five months in charge of Augsburg, who sat fourteenth in the Bundesliga with only ten points after 12 matches so far.

Michael Ströl, Augsburg's managing director, said after loss at Hoffenheim on Saturday, 'We realized confidence and certainty to change things in our lineup no longer exists'.

What’s next

He had served as an assistant to Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann from September 2023 to June.

Under Wagner, Augsburg posted its worst Bundesliga start since 2011. They were also eliminated from the German Cup in the Round of 16 after a 0-1 defeat to Bochum of the second division.

Manuel Baum, who previously coached the club between 2016 and 2019, will take temporary charge until winter break.

Wagner, who signed with Augsburg in summer on a deal until 2028, expressed disappointment with the decision in a statement announcing departure 'by mutual consent' there.

And Wagner, the former Bayern Munich forward, tried to bring a more attacking style to Augsburg, but the defense faltered, as they conceded the league's most goals (27, tied with Heidenheim).

Punchline 1: If coaching were stand-up, five months is a warm-up set that never lands the final joke.

Punchline 2: Augsburg fired Wagner so fast that even the scoreboard asked for a calendar update.