The football team Hanover 96 is subject to scrutiny. - Scott near retirement, Ernst's turn delayed
The experts at Hannover 96 are enjoying a five-week break before they begin preparations for the new season on June 23. However, it's not a vacation for everyone.
Marcus Mann (40), the sporting director, is actively working on the squad for the upcoming season with coach Stefan Leitl (46) and chief scout Max Lüftl (29). They're striving to achieve the goal of "promotion 2025" after six years in the second division.
At the season finale against Kiel, only top scorers Cedric Teuchert (27, USA), Julian Börnner (33, U23), Yannik Lührs (20, Dortmund II), Muhammed Damar (20, Hoffenheim), and Toni Foti (20, Frankfurt) were released.
Scott's struggle!
Loanee Scott had a difficult season, with constant back problems, a shoulder injury, and several training sessions missed. He only managed five brief appearances, playing less than 50 minutes in the second division.
Mann knew he wouldn't be exercising the purchase option he had with Antwerp (400,000 euros transfer fee). The 96 sporting director said emphatically, "We're aware of what Scotti is capable of, but he also needs to be available. We also need reliability, as the quality is worthless without it."
Mann hasn't even been in touch with Antwerp in recent weeks, and there are no signs of a loan extension. Contrastingly, Sebastian Ernst's situation is different.
Waiting for confirmation!
Three years ago, playmaker Sebastian Ernst (29) returned to his beloved hometown team, 96. Despite earning promotion to the Bundesliga with Fürth, he never returned to his previous level due to injuring his Achilles tendon in 2022. He scored the winning goal in the 4:3 victory against HSV, but scored only two goals and one assist in 26 appearances. This was an insufficient return and blocked the extension.
Leitl mentioned one of 96's target players, "Perhaps in one or two games, we lacked the difference maker that the others simply had. We need more of a goalscoring threat from midfield; we're behind in that regard. Sometimes, you also need an individual action to change the course of the game."
However, Hannover's door is not entirely shut for Ernst. If Mann can't find a suitable replacement and Ernst can't find a new team, there'll be another meeting between them in a few weeks.
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Source: symclub.org
