FC St. Pauli coach Marcel Rapp has ruled out any further transfer activity before the window closes. The 47-year-old made his position clear in a press conference reported by Bild Sport, expressing satisfaction with his current squad.
The Millerntor club has started the 2026/27 season with two draws, placing them 13th in the 2. Bundesliga table. With two points from two games and a goal difference of 3:3, the team trails league leaders 1. FC Nürnberg by four points. Their next match is at home against 14th-placed 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday, 30 August 2026, with a 1:30 PM kick-off.
Why does Rapp want no new signings?
Marcel Rapp is convinced of his squad's quality. "I expect a win," the coach said regarding the upcoming match against Kaiserslautern. He sees his main task as improving the current players rather than dipping into the transfer market. Rapp did acknowledge that something could still happen before the window closes, particularly regarding potential departures.
The club is prepared for all possibilities. Eric Smith (29) and Joel Fujita (24) are two players who could be subject to transfer interest. Should suitable sporting and financial offers arrive, St. Pauli would be ready to act. However, the current planning is firmly based on the existing group.
What are St. Pauli's attacking options?
There is positive news in attack. Striker Abdoulie Ceesay, 22, has recovered from an ankle injury and returned to team training. An assessment is underway to determine if he can play for one half against Kaiserslautern. His return would provide a significant boost to the frontline.
Another option is 20-year-old Youssoupha Niang. The loanee from FC Köln is described as very willing, a strong runner, a good finisher, and hard-working defensively. Rapp sees him as a good option for a substitute role. Niang could inject fresh energy into the attack, particularly in the latter stages of matches.
What is the current situation?
The season's start, with two points from the first two league games and a cup exit to third-division Essen, has been underwhelming. Rapp remains optimistic. "We are on the right path, we could have won every game, but the results have to come," the coach analyzed.
The team is searching for more efficiency in both penalty areas. The three goals scored show promising attacking play, but the three conceded also reveal defensive vulnerabilities. Delivering a consistent performance over 90 minutes will be key in the coming fixtures.
What does this mean for the coming weeks?
The focus on the existing squad underscores Rapp's faith in his players. The coming weeks until the transfer deadline will show if this approach pays off. All attention now turns to the home game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, a direct rival in the mid-table region.
A victory could make people forget the slow start and secure crucial points in the battle for a top-half position. The current league table and detailed statistics are available on our standings page. Information on the full squad can be found on the squad overview. The remaining fixtures until the winter break are listed in our fixtures calendar.
The team has the potential for more but must now prove it on the pitch. Rapp and his staff face the task of learning the right lessons from the initial disappointing results and converting positive development into wins.
