Bundesliga’s architect of change: this coach revives clubs

You have to make sure you do your job. Convincing the players of that is my task now," with these words Urs Fischer began his work at Mainz 05 last December. At that point, the Zero Fivers resembled a pile of rubble: After 13 matches, they had a meager six points to their name.

Sitting bottom of the table, Mainz had the league’s weakest attack, and only four teams had conceded more goals at that stage. But just under five months later, the picture has changed radically: 34 points, tenth place, an eight-point cushion over the relegation playoff spot – and even a cautious glance toward Europe is now allowed. This development clearly bears his signature.

Fischer has managed to turn an insecure, unstable team into a solid collective that has worked its way out of the relegation battle and into the safety of mid-table. In the second-half table, Mainz sit in a sensational fifth place. The fact that they managed this despite creative focal point Nadiem Amiri being sidelined at times through injury underlines the stable system Fischer and his staff have implemented at the Bruchweg.

Depending on the outcome of the cup competitions, ninth place could even be enough for Europe in the end. The secret of success Fischer’s secret is no magic trick, but pragmatism. He brought his tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation with him and adapted Mainz’s style of play.