Werder Bremen has loaned Belgian player Samuel Mbangula to FC Bologna after just one season. Coach Daniel Thioune cited the player's desire to escape the constant pressure and high expectations at the Bundesliga club as the reason, as reported by fussballdaten.de.
Thioune spoke in the week leading up to the home match against RB Leipzig on September 5, 2026. The coach spoke openly about the reasons for Mbangula's departure. "The Belgian wanted to escape the constant pressure and high expectations in Bremen," said Thioune. The decision to move was ultimately made by the player himself. Thioune had confronted Mbangula critically and honestly after a disappointing performance in the DFB-Pokal match against Lüneburg last Saturday.
Why did Mbangula leave Werder Bremen?
Samuel Mbangula decided to move to Italy in the summer of 2026. The player felt unable to meet the demands of the Bundesliga. Expectations of him had risen sharply after his signing. Thioune confirmed this was the main reason for the mutually agreed loan departure. However, a final separation has not been sealed. The club and the player will reconvene next summer to decide whether to make a fresh start together or part ways for good.
What is Werder Bremen's current situation?
Werder Bremen started the new Bundesliga season with a defeat and currently sits in 15th place. The team has zero points from one game and a negative goal difference of 1:4. In the table, the Green-Whites are three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The next challenge awaits on Friday with the home game against third-placed RB Leipzig. The current form and table situation can be viewed on our standings page.
What does the move mean for squad planning?
The loan move of Samuel Mbangula represents an adjustment in Werder Bremen's squad. The Belgian was part of the team last season but could not live up to the hopes placed in him. Coach Thioune stressed that the door for a return in the summer of 2027 is not completely closed. Until then, the team must tackle current challenges with the existing personnel. A complete overview of the squad is available on our squad page.
The coming weeks will show how Werder Bremen positions itself in the league. The match against Leipzig on September 5 is particularly important. A win could provide the much-needed boost and anchor the team in mid-table. All upcoming fixtures for the season can be found on our fixtures calendar. The future of Samuel Mbangula will only become a topic again for the decision-makers in Bremen next summer.
