Preußen Münster 2025/26 season preview: Die Adler eager to maintain 2.Bundesliga status | OneFootball

After achieving a somewhat unexpected promotion from the 3.Liga in the 2023-24 campaign, Preußen Münster found themselves in the 2.Bundesliga last season. Facing a daunting relegation battle amongst the chasing pack which included Jahn Regensburg and SSV Ulm, Die Adler did just enough to fend off Eintracht Braunschweig to escape the relegation play-off berth. Fine form resulting in 2 wins and 4 draws in their last 8 games, coupled with a favourable goal difference, offered safety. No mean feat considering they played Regionalliga West football just two seasons prior.

However, there was no shortage of drama at the Preußenstadion as they ended the season in turbulent fashion, dismissing their coaching ticket of Louis Cordes and Sascha Hildmann with just three matchdays remaining. Already facing an uphill challenge, the relatively inexperienced duo of Christian Pander and Kieran Schulze-Marmeling masterminded the path to preserving their second division status. Big wins over Magdeburg and Hertha Berlin built the platform for a 2-2 draw with Ulm ensured survival.

Transfers:

From a recruitment point of view, Preußen Münster have laid the foundations for lots of promise in the upcoming season. Perhaps the most notable departure from the club is 22-year-old attacking midfielder, Daniel Kyerewaa, who has joined Reading on a free-transfer. Meanwhile, centre-back Lukas Frenkert who chipped in with 3 goals and 2 assists, leaves for fellow 2.Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Braunschweig. Andras Nemeth’s loan has ended so he returns to HSV, and Rot Weiss Essen have snapped up Luca Bazzoli.

With the worst news out of the way, one interesting coup is that of Oliver Batista-Meier who arrives from SSV Ulm. The former Bayern Munich academy star bagged 3 goals and 3 assists in 15 games last season. The free transfer of Oscar Vilhelmsson – a man who hit the net 4 times for Darmstadt in the Bundesliga no less – adds serious experience to Munster’s attacking third. Marco Meyerhofer joins from Furth on a free, while added German topflight reinforcements arrive in the form of Paul Jaeckel with 49 Bundesliga matches to his name alongside invaluable Champions League know-how. There has also been a change of head coach with Alexander Ende appointed.

Pre-Season preparations:

Preußen Münster clicked into pre-season training with a 5-0 win over fellow Münster-based side Westfalia Kinderhaus. Into July, Tidiane Gueye found the back of the net in a 1-0 victory over 3.Liga outfit SC Verl, before Die Adler went on to crush MSV Duisburg 4-1 with goals coming from Amenyido, Hendrix, Makridis and new signing Vilhelmsson. However, their wings got a bit of a clipping last weekend as Eredivise club Heracles Almelo inflicted a 4-1 hammering on Christian Pander’s men. Their pre-season training in Ankum, Lower Saxony continues before a final test against Viktoria Köln.

Possible starting lineup:

(3-4-2-1) Schenk (GK) – ter Horst, Jaeckel, Koulis – Meyerhofer, Hendrix, Preissinger, Makridis – Batista-Meier, Lorenz – Vilhelmsson

Under the watchful eye of Alexander Ende, Münster should line up in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. However, Die Adler could occasionally switch to a more traditional 4-4-2 depending on the opposition. Whether Batista-Meier features from the start is a question – they could easily pivot to a two-man strike force with Amenyido alongside Vilhelmsson and a creative midfielder like Marc Lorenz in the pocket. Furthermore, there are lots of alternatives at centre-half and on the flanks – the likes of Mikkel Kirkeskov would be a consideration for either role if not for a recent muscle fibre injury.

Predictions for the 2025-26 campaign:

As previously mentioned, Münster avoided the dreaded relegation play-off spot with a solitary point to spare. With the sheer number of big Traditionsvereine (clubs with long established histories) in the 2.Bundesliga, it’s hard to envisage Die Adler under new head coach Alexander Ende climbing the table with great ease.

Last season’s experience will stand to them; recruitment has been impressive thus far, but I would suspect avoiding relegation would be the primary objective once again. Newly promoted sides in Arminia Bielefeld and Dynamo Dresden are sure to pack a punch and another scrap with Braunschweig is likely on the cards. I would suspect a 15th- to 17th-place finish for Ende’s side come next May.