Stuttgart began the season because the youngest squad within the league, however ended as champions underneath the steering of Armin Veh, who had changed Giovanni Trapattoni through the earlier marketing campaign.
Having received back-to-back doubles at Bayern Munich, Felix Magath discovered his third season more difficult, and was sacked on the finish of January to be succeeded by the person he changed three years earlier: Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Bayern ended up ending fourth, their worst place since 1994.
Borussia Monchengladbach had a horrible season, ending 11 factors from security, whereas Alemannia Aachen and Jurgen Klopp’s Mainz additionally went down.
CHANGES
Jupp Heynckes was appointed head coach of Borussia Monchengladbach earlier than the beginning of the 2006-07 season, however was sacked by January because the Fohlenelf struggled. Dutchman Jos Luhukay got here in to switch him, however couldn’t save the aspect from relegation.
Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath spent large to accumulate Cologne ahead Lukas Podolski, however the teenager didn’t reside as much as his €10 million billing, scoring simply 4 objectives in his maiden season in Munich. A mixed €14m was spent on Daniel van Buyten and Marc van Bommel, with each gamers of their late 20s, and Magath hoping so as to add expertise. Nonetheless, inconsistent performances within the league and a 3rd spherical exit from the cup meant Magath didn’t final the season, and was changed by Hitzfeld.
Werder Bremen invested properly, signing Portuguese midfielder Diego for €6m and Hannover defender Per Mertesacker for €4.7m as Nelson Valdes left for Borussia Dortmund for a payment of €4.7m.
Hamburg’s large signing was Belgian defender Vincent Kompany, who arrived for €10.5m from Anderlecht and changed Khalid Boulharouz who was offered to Chelsea for €13.2m. Striker Ivica Olic additionally arrived within the Bundesliga, transferring from CSKA Moscow.
Sebastian Diessling moved from Nurnberg to Bayer Leverkusen because of the exit of Dimitar Berbatov, with the Bulgarian becoming a member of Tottenham for €15.7m after six seasons within the Bundesliga.
Spurs’ London rivals Arsenal appeared to the German high flight as properly, including Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmund, with BVB spending among the €10m on forwards Alex Frei and Nelson Valdez.
SUMMARY
Bayern Munich’s poor season noticed them lose three of their first eight league video games, and thus allowed another person to stand up and take the crown of German champions. Stuttgart appeared unlikely to fill this void, having the youngest aspect within the division and opened their marketing campaign with two defeats. Nonetheless, a wonderful finish to the season produced eight successive wins, transferring forward of Schalke with two video games to go to clinch the league title by two factors.
Werder Bremen completed two factors additional behind, however had wowed followers with their enticing attacking soccer, thanks partially to the signing of Diego, who completed the season with 9 objectives.
Munich completed fourth, lacking out on the Champions League, and had been joined within the UEFA Cup spots by Bayer Leverkusen and Nurnberg.
Newcomers Bochum carried out above all expectations, ending eighth, however Borussia Monchengladbach went in the wrong way. Having completed tenth in 2005-06, they massively regressed and spent the final 13 weeks of the season on the backside of the desk.
Alemannia Aachen appeared set to remain up, having gained 33 factors by matchday 26, however may solely choose up one level of their remaining eight video games and completed second final. Jurgen Klopp’s Mainz joined Aachen and Gladbach within the backside three, ending three factors behind Wolfsburg with the second-lowest objectives scored tally of any workforce within the Bundesliga.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
MARIO GOMEZ
The 21-year-old had proven his abilities in earlier seasons, however correctly burst onto the scene as Stuttgart received the title. He scored 14 objectives and assisted seven extra and earned his first worldwide call-up.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON
ARMIN VEH
The ex-midfielder had been on the administration merry-go-round since 1990, teaching 5 golf equipment earlier than transferring to Stuttgart. He took over on the finish of the 2005-06 season and celebrated a title win simply over a yr later.
TOP GOALSCORER
THEOFANIS GEKAS – 20 GOALS
To help their first season again within the high flight, Bochum loaned Greek striker Gekas from Panathanaikos, who scored nearly half of the workforce’s objectives (20 of 49) to assist them end within the high half.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
HILDEBRAND; FRITZ, NALDO, DELPIERE, MAGNIN; SCHNEIDER, FRINGS, DIEGO, HITZLSPERGER; GEKAS, KURANYI
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFER
Vincent Kompany
Anderlecht to HAMBURG
€10m
KEY MOMENT OF THE SEASON
Regardless of having their captain suspended after choosing up too many yellow playing cards through the season, Armin Veh’s Stuttgart had been capable of emerge victorious from a five-goal thriller at Bochum on the second final day of the season. The three-2 victory moved them forward of Schalke within the desk, which means {that a} win over Energie Cottbus within the closing recreation was sufficient to seal the title.
