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Hannover report card

Jonathan HardingMay 22, 2014

Despite a mid-season managerial change, Hannover 96 have a lot of work to do if they are to improve on the season just gone. Jonathan Harding reviews the reasons why.

https://p.dw.com/p/1C0kK
Fußball Bundesliga Hannover 96 FC Augsburg Hannover Deutschland
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

A mixed season that finished with a rather surprising 10th-place finish. Despite looking like the wrong decision for a moment or two, Hannover's decision to replace Mirko Slomka with Tayfun Korkut has proven to be the right one in the short-term.

Key player

For the second season running, Szabolcs Huszti carried Hannover over the line. The 31-year-old Hungarian topped the club's scoring charts with 10 and contributed nine assists to boot. Hannover fans won't want to consider what might have happened without him this season.

Surprise player

When Steve Cherundolo's knee troubles signaled the end of his career, Hiroki Sakai had big shoes to fill. The Japanese right back looked off the pace last season, but he has evidently worked hard because this year he was confident and capable. His performances have also earned him a spot in his country's World Cup squad.

1. Bundesliga, 31. Spieltag Hannover 96 - VfB Stuttgart
Hiroki Sakai was a surprisingly consistent performer for Hannover this yearImage: picture-alliance/dpa

Manager

It wasn't just Mirko Slomka's away form that cost him. It genuinely seemed like the team had stopped responding to his plans. Tayfun Korkut has certainly wobbled since taking over the job, but four wins in the last five will encourage him that his squad are adapting. First though, he has a busy summer ahead of him.

Fußball Hannover 96 Trainer Tayfun Korkut
Coach Tayfun Korkut will be hoping to add some stability to his side next seasonImage: Alexander Koerner/Bongarts/Getty Images

Defining moment

The dismissal of Slomka proved key. Defeat to Freiburg before the winter break offered the club a convenient gap to make the swap, as it meant Korkut wasn't thrown in at the deep end straight away - wins against Wolfsburg and Gladbach in January demonstrated that.

What's next?

A squad shuffle and a search for consistency are a must. Korkut should look to shed some names, perhaps Mame Diouf who disappointed despite injury this season, and try and rebuild the weaker corners of the team. Star man Huszti isn't getting any younger either. Next season, if they want to push on they must try and get out of their dips in form quicker. Two or three games undefeated were often followed by three consecutive defeats. They only drew six games this season and lost 16. That must change.

Grade: C

The mark may seem a little harsh considering the club's means and the fact they ended up in tenth. They miss out on a higher grade because the club has a lot more than one grade to improve on, especially if they are serious about returning to Europe.