Werder Bremen coach Daniel Thioune has named an unusual role model for his team's development. The manager sees the playing system of a relegated Bundesliga side as a template for his own approach.
“You can orient yourself on that,” Thioune said about the style of the relegated team. He stressed that certain tactical ideas could also be a good fit for Werder. The 51-year-old pointed out how the team had impressed for long stretches of the season despite their eventual drop.
Thioune's comments come during a period of transition. Werder sit tenth in the Bundesliga table with three points from two matches. The record shows inconsistency: a 4-1 defeat at Freiburg was followed by a convincing 3-1 home win against RB Leipzig. In that match, Eren Dinkçi (4th minute), Niclas Füllkrug (68th) and Marco Grüll (80th) scored. Their recent form across the last five competitive games reads two wins, one draw and two defeats (WLWLD).
The coach is evidently searching for a more stable playing identity. The team has scored four league goals so far but conceded five. Ahead of the next matchday against league leaders FC Augsburg on 19 September (home, 15:30), the quest for consistency is a key topic. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.
Thioune's statement is a clear signal that he wants to establish a specific brand of football for Werder. Whether this draws inspiration from a relegated side or forges its own path will become apparent in the coming weeks. The next opportunity is the top-of-the-table clash against Augsburg at the Weserstadion.
