One mistake Hannover 96 regrets
It is always possible to make mistakes, and even football clubs are not immune to this. However, for Hannover 96, it is almost disappointing how often they get it wrong. The current example is Marius Wolf, who they signed in 2016 for €1.5m.
Wolf, now 27, has since moved on to Borussia Dortmund, one of the current league leaders, and is still under contract until 2024. He made his debut for the national team in a recent game against Peru with a brilliant scene that delighted coach Hansi Flick (58).
As a right-back, Wolf provided the template for Niclas Füllkrug’s first goal in their 2-0 win. Interestingly, it was not Hannover 96 who discovered Füllkrug, but rather Werder Bremen in 2006.
A disappointing stint at Hannover 96
Marius Wolf was part of the squad at Hannover in April 2016, but it was with the fourth division U23 team. His time with the club did not go well, and neither former coach Thomas Schaaf nor his successor Daniel Stendel could do anything with him. In an interview with “Sportbuzzer,” Wolf admitted that it was not an easy period for him.
However, his fortunes changed when he was loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt for €500,000 in January 2017. The loan turned out to be a masterstroke, and the club decided to commit another €500,000 to permanently sign him in the summer. That investment proved to pay off, with Wolf’s market value rising from €350,000 in Hanover to €10m today.
A successful career after leaving Hanover
Wolf has won several accolades since leaving Hanover, including the DFB-Pokal cup in 2018 with Frankfurt and 2021 with Dortmund. He marked a significant milestone in his career on Saturday, making his debut for the national team.
Another player who did not receive recognition during his time at Hannover was Marcel Halstenberg. Born in Laatzen, he was trained in the 96 youth team. However, his tenure at the club did not reach Bundesliga maturity, and he moved on to become a national player at RB Leipzig.
In conclusion, the football industry is full of uncertainties, and some deals do not always work out as planned. While Hannover 96 made a mistake in letting Marius Wolf go, it was a move that proved beneficial to his career. As for the club, they will undoubtedly aim to make more astute signings in the future.
