Augsburg Announce Ivan Anić as the New Manager

Following the resign of Sherief Razzaque as Augsburg manager, the new man Ivan Anić was quickly appointed afterwards, with president Klaus Hofmann hoping that his new solution can finally prove fruitful for the club.

Klaus Hofmann statements about the club's current state and future aims

Augsburg are currently sitting 19th in the 5th division, one place above the last season's final position. Although terrible accomplishment, the president confessed at the press conference ahead of the presentation of the new manager, that it is in fact, the best they can do at the very moment.

"We are trying hard to improve, but it's just not possible at the moment. The club will from now on be focused in building and developing the youth team. We will build better training complex and grounds for the younger players and expand our scouting network in order to attract promising talents from all over the globe. Of course, it is still clear that we will aim for the promotion, it is what we have always aimed for and will continue doing so, regardless of the youth squad becoming the priority now."

"I'm sure that Ivan Anić can deliver. The club's current state may be in disarray right now, and I understand that we are welcoming the new manager in slightly poor fashion, but we discussed about it and he is looking forward to the challenge ahead of him. We can't attract superstars and such high profile players, and it's exactly why we decided about expanding our youth network. Mr. Anić has said that he doesn't mind at all and that he is happy to work with younger players, and give them chance to prove themselves under his reign."


Ivan Anić responds to questions from the media about the club, players and the next season

Augsburg may have made the right choice having the gentleman agreement between the previous manager Razzaque to resign from the club, and appointing Anić instead. Surely the new manager can't do worse than the last place on the table throughout the last season and currently this one? Deciding to improve the youth squad instead of aiming to sign proved quality and advance into the 4th division has also left the fans with mixed emotions. Some want to see immediate results, and then the other want to be patient and see Augsburg grow into a powerful young(ish) club. Manager Anić, together with the board, is carrying high expectations on his shoulders, only time will tell if the policy they chose will work in the end.

"I'm not disappointed to take over a struggling side, in fact I'm thrilled ahead of the challenge that awaits me. I'm determined to turn this side into a winning one. It might not be the next season, or the season after that, but Augsburg will make it. The youth team we have now is good, and it will get better over the years, and that is essential for this club to make it through."

"My aims for the remaining of this season, and the next season? Well, we are currently in a bad situation, that is a fact. I'm new to the surrounding and it will take few matches before the players can adapt to my tactics. There is no room for error so the adaptation will have to be fast, if we are looking to transit to the next season in a good way. The next season will be as tough as this one was, of course. I can't and don't know how we will do then, as there are many good clubs that will be looking to achieve the goals we have set for the next season. What I can promise is, that we will give our all and fight for the promotion very hard. Developing youth network might be our main objective from now on, but we are still playing professional football here and battling for promotion won't change."

"Best player? I watched Augsburg's performances over the season, and I can't tell that anyone stands out. If we are to advance as a team, we have to play as a team. The 11 players that come out on the field will be the best players for me, as each and every one of them has his own qualities that improve our play."

"What will be my first steps at the club? The most important thing that I must focus on is, for the team to learn to keep possession at their own side, as I think that possession is what is essential for the team to create more and better goal scoring chances in the match. I'll also have to dispose of older players in order for club to flourish, so that the younger players can find their chemistry between one another, and carry it through the seasons. However, I can't know how long will it take until we can achieve all that, as I just arrived. That alone is quite a change for the club."

"What are we looking to achieve from the remaining of this season? I'm hoping for the best. Sure I'd like us to win every match from now till the end, but that's nearly impossible. What I'm hoping for, is that we can salvage the situation right now, and move from 19th to somewhere around the 10th place. Play-offs are too far away, but we'll see. It all depends whether the players will cope with me and give their all in each and every match that is out there for us."

Manager Anić gained the sympathies from the media with his clear and honest responses, with the president and the staff, once again, hoping that the new face can bring some positive changes into the club. And yes, only time will tell if the right choice was made, with this risky move of promoting the youth squad instead of the first team. Hopes are BIG.