FC St. Pauli have rebuilt their squad with seven new signings following their relegation from the Bundesliga. Under new head coach Marcel Rapp, the newly assembled team aims to find stability in the 2. Bundesliga.

The Kiezkickers ended last season with a disappointing run of four consecutive defeats, including the 3-1 loss to VfL Wolfsburg on 16 May that confirmed their direct relegation. In the aftermath, several key players departed. Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj moved to Saudi Arabia, Danel Sinani joined Sampdoria Genua, and Karol Mets transferred to VfL Bochum. Manolis Saliakas went to Olympiakos and Jackson Irvine joined Cerezo Osaka just before the season started. Hauke Wahl also made the switch to VfL Wolfsburg.

Seven new faces for a fresh start

In response to this upheaval, FC St. Pauli brought in seven new players. A key addition is 33-year-old Swedish striker Branimir Hrgota. He arrives after seven years at Greuther Fürth, where he scored 70 goals and provided 41 assists in 242 appearances. He served as captain for six of those years. Hrgota previously played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt. His experience is expected to guide the younger squad.

Rapp takes the helm

The new man in charge is Marcel Rapp. The 47-year-old succeeded Alexander Blessin. Rapp previously spent four and a half years at Holstein Kiel, leading them to Bundesliga promotion in 2024. Before that, he worked in the youth setup at TSG Hoffenheim. "My job is to stabilise the newly assembled team as quickly as possible," Rapp told VfL Wolfsburg. His system and philosophy now shape training and match preparation.

The first five matchdays of the new season present a mixed picture. FC St. Pauli currently sit 9th in the 2. Bundesliga with six points from one win, three draws, and one loss. Their goal difference is even at 7:7. They trail league leaders Hertha BSC by nine points. Recent form, with four losses in their last five games, shows the urgency of Rapp's stabilisation task.

The next test comes on 10 October, when FC St. Pauli host Karlsruher SC, who currently sit 12th, at the Millerntor-Stadion. Until then, Rapp has time to further implement his ideas and better integrate the seven new signings into the squad. The first weeks under his leadership have already laid the foundation for the long-term rebuild.

First reported at vfl-wolfsburg.de