Werder Bremen’s Revival Under Daniel Thioune

Positive Turnaround in the Bundesliga

Following a difficult beginning, Daniel Thioune’s Werder Bremen has made a significant comeback. After starting with three consecutive defeats after his appointment in February, the team has clinched three victories in their last four matches, elevating them to 14th place in the Bundesliga standings.

Growing Confidence

With a four-point cushion above the relegation zone, Thioune’s squad is hitting its stride at a crucial time in the season.

“If someone had asked me three weeks ago how it felt to be near the bottom of the table, I would have said it wasn’t pleasant,” Thioune expressed in a conversation with the DFL. “However, it was more essential to exhibit resilience, remain determined, and trust in our approach. Now, three weeks later, the momentum is on our side.”

Challenging Initial Matches

Thioune faced a challenging task upon his arrival in Bremen, starting with a series of tough fixtures. This included encounters against SC Freiburg, a Europa League contender, and the formidable Bayern Munich, followed by a pivotal away match against St. Pauli. Unfortunately, his team lost all three.

The first win came at the end of a tough February, when Werder secured a 2-0 victory over FC Heidenheim, bringing an end to a 13-match winless streak that had lasted since November 2025.

Recent Performances

In the following week, after initially falling behind against Union Berlin, Werder showcased a strong comeback, securing a 4-1 victory. However, a 2-0 loss to Mainz resulted in further obstacles in their fight against relegation.

“We cannot expect to win every week, even after two victories. The setback against Mainz was not ideal,” Thioune remarked. “It wasn’t necessarily a step back, but more akin to losing a round in a boxing match.”

Building Momentum

Werder concluded March with a crucial 1-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg, adding to their tally. Despite a challenging start to the season—where they claimed only four victories from the first 20 outings—Thioune has now led the team to three wins in the last seven matches, raising their points total from 19 to 28.

“It requires more than just one game against Freiburg or an away match at Bayern,” Thioune noted. “While I would have preferred better results against St. Pauli, I believe we all would have gladly accepted three wins out of the last four games, not just for the victories but for the positive trend.”

Changes in the League

Bremen has also benefitted from the lack of victories among the teams positioned below them: Köln, St. Pauli, Wolfsburg, and Heidenheim have all struggled, failing to win any of their last three matches. Meanwhile, Bremen has achieved six points during this stretch and now trails ninth-place Union Berlin by just three points.

The Journey Continues

Despite the positive developments, Thioune acknowledges that the fight for relegation is far from over. The conclusion of the season approaches, intensifying the challenges at the bottom of the table. However, Werder is steadily progressing towards safety and is committed to ensuring their place in the top division for the next season.

“We still have seven matches left. We need more points, but there are opportunities to secure 21 points from the remaining games,” Thioune stated. “That’s what motivates me.”