May: FCA maintain Bundesliga status
Year in review 2022, part five
Club
23.12.2022, 09:07
An emotional 12 months full of highs and lows are drawing to a close. As we enter the last few weeks of the year, FC Augsburg are looking back on the last 365 days. In the fifth part of our series, we look at May.
There was already cause for celebration ahead of the final away game of the season in Leipzig, with VfB Stuttgart’s draw in Munich meaning FCA were guaranteed to stay up. As a result, despite a 4-0 defeat against RB Leipzig, FCA would play in the Bundesliga for the 12th season in a row. There was also cause for celebration for Lasse Günther, who celebrated his debut in the FCA starting eleven.
FC Augsburg took on SpVgg Greuther Fürth a week later in an almost sold-out WWK ARENA to round off the season. FCA overcame their already-relegated opponents 2-1 in front of their own fans, who had prepared a stunning tifo prior to kick-off.
“Level 11 complete... Here we come, Year 12!”
On the pitch, Daniel Caligiuri put FCA ahead from the penalty spot, before Fürth equalised shortly after with their first real attempt on goal. FCA were made to wait for an all-important goal, with Arne Maier slipping the ball through to substitute Michael Gregoritsch inside the box, who finished at the near post to give FCA a 2-1 win shortly before full time. The only bitter note was Niklas Dorsch falling unfortunately after challenging for a header and breaking his collarbone.
This meant FCA finished the 2021/22 season in 14th place with 38 points and went into the next season with the motto “Level 11 complete... Here we come, Year 12!” ahead of their twelfth Bundesliga season in succession. FCA are one of only seven teams to never be relegated from the Bundesliga.
Weinzierl leaves, Hofmann steps down
Head coach Markus Weinzierl announced his departure directly after the game against Fürth. There was also a change in the presidency. Klaus Hofmann stepped down as President of FC Augsburg 1907 e.V. and as Commercial Director of FC Augsburg 1907 GmbH & Co. KGaA on health grounds. “We note the retirement of Klaus Hofmann with regret, but obviously respect his decision. We are crossing our fingers for him and wish him all the best with his health,” said Thomas Müller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
