Manuel Baum

And since then, they've also been away to Augsburg.

We've also had a decent start to the season under Manuel Baum.

And Union came away from Augsburg with a point as well.

So they were certainly turning a corner.

But credit to Norfolk Coy for doing the right thing and whacking his penalty against the crossbar.

refusing to score we love to see it FIFA fair play award coming your way not to be confused with the FIFA peace prize which is far less meaningful but just weirdly decided to bring that back into the conversation for no reason but yeah not a penalty for me and I was surprised it was given but it didn't matter Augsburg had a penalty appeal after that Manuel Baum very upset that it wasn't given in the post-game interview he did with ZDF.

To be honest, I think that was also weak.

I don't think it was a penalty.

He's got to be up there and playing every game for me.

I think that's a bit daft from Manuel Baum, the fact that he's withdrawn in the last couple of games.

Because I know that Ribeiro is a good up-and-comer, but he doesn't offer as much as Grigorevic in my eyes.

It's as simple as that.

And I know on 100 days, maybe Augsburg gets this result once.

But it shows you that Manuel Baum is definitely working with some things there.

He's got some positive outlook about this season, and it's honestly impressive what he has done since he took the helm there.

I keep saying it, but Augsburg could be a team that pushes its way into the top six when all is said and done.

I happen to like Rene Wagner.

I mean, when we look at the interim coaches who received permanent appointments last season, we, of course, have your Manuel Baum, who is thriving at Augsburg.

We have Eugen Polanski, who...

Don't forget Wolfsburg's Daniel Bauer.

Actually, they did the double over Dortmund the season before last.

They've become a real bogey team, an Angstgegner, as they say in German, for a lot of the big teams.

you know this shows the confidence of the fcr are playing with and there's just so many good players in that side like you already mentioned fell howard who has improved so much since coming into the side i mean he has just been a star really 2026 has been the year of the fell howard really because he has just he's barely put in a bad performance to be honest the whole year he's been superb masengo has just continued to grow in that midfield role he's just been brilliant reader and when we watched Augsburg live a year ago Peter almost a year ago I was critical of reader I was disappointed with him but since Manuel Baum has come in he has just been a an absolute star really and I think the slightly deeper position in central midfield has suited him and he he's just looking brilliant I think Hannah's uh Behrens as well has been a superb signing for them obviously got called up to the Germany side as well and that Basically, the whole of the Bundesliga got called up in Jurgen Klopp's mega squad.

Even some players, I mean, who was it? The guy Mika Bauer from Celtic even managed

This is not the same Augsburg squad that was floundering under Sandro Wagner at the beginning of last season.

Manuel Baum has brought an absolute sense of professionalism into this team and self-belief.

This team is good.

They know they're good, and they're not going to concede anything.

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Let's take a look at this Augsburg side managed by Manuel Baum, who has done a terrific job.

I mean, this guy has been sensational since he joined the club, has gotten them back to a point where they are not just a respectable side, but a dangerous one, one that could potentially take on anybody.

And I have... honestly become super impressed with the way that they have handled business I of course thought that Sandro Wagner would go in and do a great job there man you know what he just didn't and the team did not respond to him they did not respond to the way that he coached them And as it would turn out, they just needed something different.

And Manuel Baum turned out to be that guy.

Now, they did make some changes over the summer.

I wouldn't say any of these were necessarily ones that were going to make a massive difference, though you could argue a couple have already changed.

So they didn't lose a ton, but...