Augsburgs Sandro Wagner defends Dietmar Hopp and Hoffenheim ahead of Bundesliga reunion

Former TSG 1899 Hoffenheim professional Sandro Wagner is headed back to his old stomping grounds this weekend. Wagner’s current Bundesliga club, FC Augsburg, has a date with Hoffenheim in the afternoon kickoffs. Wagner’s 18-month-long-stint with Hoffenheim (2016-2017) enabled him to revive his career late, ultimately transfer back to Bayern Munich, and earn some German national team call ups in his 30s.

Naturally, in light of such events, Wagner possesses a very different view of Hoffenheim and its controversial club patron Dietmar Hopp than many other Germans. When it came time to comment on the upcoming opponent, and the current problems Hopp is experiencing with his own administration and fan-base, Wagner had nothing but kind words to offer.

“TSG was a very important part of my life and it’s also a very cool club,” Wagner noted at the pre-match press conference. “One doesn’t see that from the outside, but if one’s a part of it, there’s a lot of great people who work there. That’s true from the grass-roots all the way up to Dietmar Hopp. I was working with a lot of nice people there.

“I have Hopp to thank for my switch to Bayern,” Wagner continued. “I think he’s a fabulous person. I have an affinity with the club and I really like the club. And I have to say what [head coach Christian] Ilzer and [sporting director Andreas] Schicker have accomplished is absolutely outstanding. It’s a very good club and it will be a difficult away fixture for us.“

GGFN | Peter Weis