FC Augsburg Coach Manuel Baum Avoids Setting Specific Goals for Bundesliga Season

Manuel Baum, head coach of FC Augsburg, is deliberately steering clear of setting a defined league position target for the upcoming 16th Bundesliga season. Following a respectable ninth-place finish last season, Baum prefers a more incremental approach, stating he thinks "in stages."

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Staying in the league is the first stage. Then we move on.

The immediate priority, according to Baum, is securing the team's continued presence in the top flight. "Staying in the league is the first stage. Then we move on," he explained. For FCA, which has been in the Bundesliga continuously since 2011, Baum reiterated that "it remains a privilege to be allowed to play in the Bundesliga."

The season opener on Sunday against newly promoted FC Schalke 04 holds personal significance for Baum, as he will celebrate his 47th birthday on the match day. The Augsburg stadium is sold out, and Baum expressed his excitement for the season's start, calling it "a cool feeling" to kick off on his birthday. His birthday wish is simple: "to win the game - that applies to the players too."

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it remains a privilege to be allowed to play in the Bundesliga.

Defensively, Baum faces a decision regarding the three-man backline following the departure of vice-captain Keven Schlotterbeck to English second-division club FC Southampton. New signing Calvin Brackelmann is a likely candidate, although captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, who had been ill, is also back in training. Baum also indicated that either goalkeeper Finn Dahmen or midfielder Fabian Rieder would captain the team against Schalke in Schlotterbeck's absence.

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All gifts and thoughts go towards winning the game - that applies to the players too.

Young-Woo Seol, a South Korean World Cup participant recently signed from Red Star Belgrade, could make his debut, as Baum noted he is "fully in rhythm." However, playmaker Alexis Claude-Maurice, having only trained with the team for three sessions, is "definitely" not yet an option for the starting lineup.

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He is fully in rhythm.