SV Darmstadt 98 2025/26 season preview: Laying foundations for long-term progress the goal | OneFootball

A quick glance at last season

Much like the 2023/24 campaign that saw them finish rock bottom of the Bundesliga, Darmstadt kicked off 2024/25 in similar fashion picking up just one point in their opening four games, quickly dampening any optimism of a swift return. This led to the club mutually parting ways with head coach Torsten Lieberknecht in early September.

Up stepped Florian Kohfeldt to try and rescue the season, with the turnaround immediate. The so-called ‘new manager bounce’ often spoken about in England seemed to be in full flow, with Darmstadt losing just one of Kohfeldt’s first ten league games. By the winter break, optimism had returned to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.

A real tale of two halves ensued as consistency proved elusive in the second half of the campaign. A poor run between January and March - just two wins in ten games - saw the team slide down the table. Darmstadt managed to finish the season in 12th place, safe from any relegation trouble which will have pleased fans after the worrying start under Lieberknecht.

Transfers

So far, the transfer window looks encouraging on paper. Darmstadt have retained the core of their squad while making several shrewd additions. Strikers Bartosz Białek (Wolfsburg) and Serhat Güler (Viktoria Köln) arrived on free transfers, as did defender Leon Klassen (Lyngby). Centre-back Patric Pfeiffer also returned to the club from Augsburg in a €700,000 move.

Meanwhile, Japanese duo Yosuke Furukawa (Júbilo Iwata) and Hiroki Akiyama (Albirex Niigata) aim to bring energy and depth to the midfield options. Akiyama, in particular, has impressed in pre-season and has the potential to become a key figure under Kohfeldt.

Though departures have been handled and replaced relatively well, fans will be most upset about the loss of club legend Tobias Kempe. The 36-year-old announced his retirement before the season ended, as he captained the side in the last game of the season at home to Regensburg in what was an emotional farewell. Kempe retires having amassed over 250 appearances for Die Lilien, leaving a huge void in the dressing room that will surely need filling.

Other exits include Oscar Vilhelmsson (Preußen Münster), Philipp Förster and Christopher Zimmermann (both free agents), Andreas Müller (Karlsruher SC), and the returning loanee Guille Bueno (Borussia Dortmund).

Pre-season preparations

Darmstadt have enjoyed a fruitful pre-season to date including a training camp in Bad Wörishofen, Germany and five friendly matches against varying levels of opposition. Wins over Swiss side FC St. Gallen (4-2) and English League Two’s Notts County (2-1) provided confidence, while a heavy 1-5 loss to Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim served as a late reminder of the levels still to reach.

Despite the disappointing defeat in the final test, there have been plenty of positives on show for Kohfeldt and the fans throughout the friendly fixtures with the general feeling being a good one heading into the new season. The team have shown impressive attacking patterns throughout pre-season, often dominating opponents both physically and tactically. The head-coach has also experimented with various formations, suggesting he intends to implement a flexible tactical approach this season - one that allows the side to adapt seamlessly when required.

Amidst all the focus on friendlies and transfers, a new captain has been announced. Goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen will take over from Fabian Holland for the 2025/26 campaign, with the 32-year-old expressing his excitement about being handed the armband. “It’s a great honor for me to be the Lilies’ captain from now on. I’m very grateful for the trust placed in me,” Schuhen said. “But I’m really looking forward to leading the team into the stadium and knowing I have ten players behind me who will support each other and put their hearts on the pitch.”

Predicted line-up

4-2-2-2:

Schuhen (GK) - Lopez, Pfeiffer, Vukotic, Nürnberger - Klefisch, Akiyama - Marseiler, Corredor - Lidberg, Hornby

Kohfeldt is expected to continue with his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation, although a back three was trialled in some pre-season games. Hiroki Akiyama has emerged as the more natural fit alongside Niklas Klefisch in midfield, with Merveille Papela likely to rotate in when a more midfield-heavy setup is required. Sergio López looks set to start at right-back, with Matthias Bader still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.

Predictions for the upcoming season

A first pre-season under Florian Kohfeldt should do wonders for the team heading into the season. The talented coach clearly has a long-term vision for the club and this is just the start of the future as far as he is concerned. “…I'm not jumping on the bandwagon and hoping to get back into the top league quickly. I'm excited about this project. I'm here because I want to develop something long-term.” Stated Kohfeldt back in May, already with one eye on setting the club up for future success with him at the centre of it.

With the good work in the transfer market led by Sporting Director Paul Fernie, they appear to have built a strong squad with depth apparent in many positions. Coupled with the exciting strike partnership of Fraser Hornby and Isac Lidberg - who combined for 26 league goals last season - Darmstadt may just spring a few surprises this season if the pair can rediscover their outstanding form from the previous campaign.

With many 2. Bundesliga clubs strengthening this summer, a return to the top flight seems unlikely for Darmstadt. But with smart recruitment, a clear tactical identity, and a respected coach at the helm, there’s genuine belief that this season can lay the groundwork for future success.

A mid-table finish between 8th and 12th seems realistic. The club opens their campaign at home to recently relegated Bochum, before a tricky away trip to Nürnberg in week two. It won’t be an easy ride, but there’s a sense that something solid is being built in Hesse.