FC Augsburg's Sandro Wagner: The Modest Mouse and Shining Star

In the world of German football, Sandro Wagner has made a remarkable transition from player to coach, leading FC Augsburg to a promising start in the Regionalliga championship.

Wagner, a former player for FC Bayern Munich and the German national team, has proven to be a shrewd tactician in his new role. His coaching style, reminiscent of Xabi Alonso coaching Bayer Leverkusen, has been instrumental in Augsburg's steady improvement.

The team almost threw away a 2-0 lead in the cup against third-tier side Wehen Wiesbaden, but a late goal from Harry Kane, a player at Bayern, saved the day and avoided extra time.

Wagner's debut as coach of FC Augsburg was well-attended by the press, and his players have praised his approach. Marius Wolf, a goal scorer for the team, described Wagner as a very good coach, while Elias Saad, an offensive player, praised him as very human.

Wagner's preparation for coaching was meticulous. He gained experience in youth work with the DFB, coaching at Unterhaching, and completed his coaching licenses. His past connection with Bayern Munich, where he spent his youth and won the German championship twice towards the end of his career, has undoubtedly played a role in his coaching journey.

However, Wagner turned down offers from other Bundesliga clubs in the past, choosing instead to take on his first coaching station in the top tier without the huge media pressure that would have been present in Bremen, Hamburg, or Cologne. Augsburg offers a unique opportunity for Wagner to make his mark.

Meanwhile, there are public debates at FC Bayern Munich regarding the purchase of new players. Sporting director Max Eberl and honorary president Uli Hoeneß have been at odds on this issue. For Wagner, the game against his former club will be a normal Bundesliga game, but the stakes are undeniably high.

After the successful Bundesliga start, the focus of the media was on Wagner rather than Freiburg's coach of the year, Julian Schuster. It seems that Wagner's coaching prowess is capturing the attention of the football world.

Wagner returned to the DFB as co-trainer of Julian Nagelsmann, having been a co-trainer of the most popular German football national team since 2014. His coaching journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport.

As Wagner prepares to face his former club, one cannot help but wonder if the past will play a role in the outcome of the game. Regardless, Wagner's impact on FC Augsburg has been undeniable, and his coaching career is just getting started.