Twice 150 million euros – and how Union and Freiburg deal with it | table football

Managing Director Ruhnert (left) wants to invest with Union, SC Freiburg remain true to its squad policy.

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This weekend, on the 32nd day of the Bundesliga match, the eyes of many football fans will once again wander to the top, where FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund are playing for the championship. Or down, where the relegation battle holds a lot of explosiveness, as in every season.

However, this also applies to a duel in Berlin, where fourth-placed Union will receive fifth-placed Freiburg on Saturday from 3:30 p.m. (LIVE! on kicker). A lot is at stake. “It is undisputed that the winner of the game will take pole position in the fight for a place in the Champions League,” says Oliver Ruhnert, managing director of professional football at the Irons.

The first participation in the premier class – that would be it for both clubs – is of course not only associated with the achievement of big sporting goals. The successful work of the clubs from the capital and Breisgau has long since yielded a lot of money.

Union expects a total turnover of 157 million euros in 2022/23 (122 million in the previous season), in Freiburg the turnover record will be around 150 million euros (114.9 million in the previous year). Proud sums – plan the FCU and SCF differently.

Zingler speaks of the “most important investment phase in our history”

Calculated surpluses of 20 million euros or additional income from the premier class, whose entry fee is at least 15.6 million euros, would be helpful for the Köpenickers to reduce liabilities – or even with new investments. The youth academy, new training grounds and the expansion of the stadium to 37,000 spectators will not happen by themselves.

And then there’s the squad, even in the first place. “We have to keep developing in sport, then we will also be economically healthier,” said President Dirk Zingler at the end of 2022, he spoke of the “biggest and most important investment phase in our history”.

Union also wants to dig deeper into their pockets for newcomers, if not for transfers in the tens of millions. The capitals have Alex Kral (24, Schalke) and Dawid Kownacki (26, Düsseldorf) in their sights, while top scorer Sheraldo Becker is about to leave.

Schade millions should not only finance his replacement

In Breisgau, the situation is a little different. Although a significant part of the additional income is also passed on to the team and the coaching staff at the Sport-Club, the record fee for Kevin Schade (for 25 million euros to FC Brentford) is to result in a fast offensive player as a Schade replacement and a center forward financed.

Although the club is in good health with equity of 95 million euros (as of June 30, 2022) and the professional budget is now scratching the 60 million mark, he wants to remain true to his style even when he is successful. Union plans for the current season with 52 million euros.

Central defender Murray comes in winter

On the one hand, this means that more money is still being set aside for worse times. And on the other hand, that Freiburg – unlike Union – wants to continue to rely on young players. The SCF is on the 18-year-old talented central defender Drew Murray, who, according to kicker information, will come from Oakland (USA) in the winter.

Whether Champions or Europa League – and the starting bonuses differ by twelve million euros: In all likelihood, the final place in the table will change little in the squad planning in Freiburg. Union should still expect plenty of resistance on Saturday.