Augsburg has officially signed Hennes Behrens as Dimitrios Giannoulis departs – a transfer where coach Manuel Baum played a decisive role. The 21‑year‑old left‑back arrives for €3.7 million from Hoffenheim and is expected to slot straight into the starting XI.
Who is Hennes Behrens?
Behrens, a young Frankfurt native, gained experience at 1. FC Heidenheim before being loaned by Hoffenheim in the summer of 2025. He featured in 16 league matches for the FCA under manager Frank Schmidt, showing versatility and pace that made him a coveted target for the club’s hierarchy.
Why Manuel Baum drove the deal
Sport director Benjamin Weber and CEO Michael Ströll saw Behrens as a solution to the looming departure of Giannoulis. Baum, assisting the coaching staff since 2024, convinced the Frankfurt‑born player in a personal conversation that Behrens later called “decisive.” Without Baum’s push, the club would likely have searched longer for an alternative.
How does Behrens fit into the current squad?
Augsburg sits 9th after the 2025 season with 43 points (12 wins, 7 draws, 15 losses) and recently lost 4‑0 to Union Berlin (2026‑05‑16). The team has scored 45 goals and conceded 61, a –16 goal difference. Behrens is expected to bring speed and offensive drive to the left flank while helping to shore up the defense as the side tries to improve a recent LLWWW form.
What does this mean for the future?
The FCA hopes Behrens quickly becomes a regular starter and fills the void left by Giannoulis. Coach Baum plans to embed him in a system that relies on rapid wing attacks. If Behrens meets expectations, Augsburg could climb back into the top tier and narrow the 46‑point gap to league leaders Bayern München.
Bottom line
With Behrens’ signing and Giannoulis’ exit, Augsburg sends a clear message: the club is investing in young, dynamic talent that can deliver immediately. Baum remains a key figure whose assessment steers the transfer market.
