After finishing an impressive 6th in the 2012/13 Bundesliga campaign; impressive indeed considering they were a newly promoted side, Frankfurt's 2013/14 campaign failed to reach those dizzy heights which had seen them claim a place in the Europa League, as they finished in a mediocre 13th last time around. Dealing with domestic and continental matters may well have hampered their cause, yet Frankfurt were consistently bereft of quality in most areas of the pitch. Now under the guidance of the highly-experienced Thomas Schaaf, who had won plenty, as both a player and a manager, in what seemingly was a life-long association with Bremen, Frankfurt are hoping that his eye for winning will reap rewards.
Frankfurt only managed 40 goals in the Bundesliga last season, emphasising their lack of firepower up front. This has been the main focus of the board to resolve this summer, especially as Joselu has returned to Hoffenheim following a decent spell at the Commerzbank-Arena, scoring 14 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions. Yet he and long-time servant Alex Meier, who will be entering his 11th season with Frankfurt, were the only two men to hit double figures last campaign. However, Frankfurt now look to have depth in their forward ranks, blending youth with experience. In has come Lucas Piazon on loan from Chelsea, Sociedad's Haris Seferovic and Nelson Valdez, who won a Bundesliga/Pokal double with Schaaf at Bremen. Along with Meier and Vaclav Kadlec, the Eagles now have five striking options, which should allow them to find the net more regularly.
On the other hand, down at the other end of the field, Frankfurt's defensive weaknesses still haven't really been addressed. Timothy Chandler, who already has so much experience in German football at just 24-years old, has come in from Nuremberg to replace Sebastian Jung in the right-back position, with Jung seeking pastures new at Wolfsburg. That though has been the only defensive reinforcement so far this summer. Stefano Celozzi has joined Bochum in 2.Bundesliga, whilst highly-rated young centre-back Marc-Oliver Kempf, who had once been interesting Juventus, has gone to Freiburg. Conceding was a big problem for Frankfurt last season, 57 in total in the Bundesliga; but with the attacking options being filled, Frankfurt's transfer policy for this summer may well now shift its attention to dealing with the defensive issues.
It will also be a hugely unusual time for Schaaf himself. This will be the first time not just in his career, but his life, that he can't call the Weserstadion his second home. He had a 42-year association with Werder Bremen, from starting his youth career, through to first-team player and then through to manager; ask people the number one thing associated with Werder Bremen and Thomas Schaaf will be top of many people's lists. Schaaf won 15 trophies during his time as player and manager with Bremen, and he will be hoping this can also be transferred to Frankfurt. It may be a strange situation at first being somewhere other than Bremen, yet Schaaf has the mentality and focus to drive his players into winning positions.
Schaaf's first campaign in charge of Frankfurt will be to improve on last season's 13th position. Europa League football won't be an issue, so this can't be used as an excuse should Frankfurt hit a brick wall in terms of form and performances. The competition for places up front will keep the attack-minded players on their toes, which therefore should accumulate to plenty of goals. If Schaaf can bring in one, two maybe even three new faces at the back, then Frankfurt could be in for a potentially surprising season just like two years ago. Well it wouldn't be that much of a surprise: this is the Bundesliga after all.