1. Fußball- und Sport-Verein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05 or simply Mainz 05 (German pronunciation: [ˌmaɪnts nʊl ˈfʏnf] ), is a German professional sports club, founded in 1905 and based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Mainz 05 play in the Bundesliga, the top tier of the German football league system, having most recently been promoted ahead of the 2009–10 season. The club's main local rivals are Eintracht Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern. In addition to the football division, Mainz 05 have handball and table tennis departments.

Mainz 05
Full name1. Fußball- und Sport-Verein Mainz 05 e.V.
Nickname(s)Die Nullfünfer (the 05ers),[citation needed]
Karnevalsverein (Carnival club)[citation needed]
Founded16 March 1905; 119 years ago (1905-03-16)[1]
GroundMEWA Arena
Capacity34,034[citation needed]
PresidentStefan Hofmann[citation needed]
ManagerBo Henriksen
LeagueBundesliga
2023–24Bundesliga, 13th of 18
Websitemainz05.de
Current season

History

edit

Early years

edit

A failed attempt to start a football club in the city in 1903 was followed up two years later by the successful creation of 1. Mainzer Fussballclub Hassia 1905. After a number of years of play in the Süddeutschen Fußballverband (South German Football League), the club merged with FC Hermannia 07 – the former football side of Mainzer TV 1817 – to form 1. Mainzer Fussballverein Hassia 05, which dropped "Hassia" from its name in August 1912. Another merger after World War I, in 1919, with Sportverein 1908 Mainz, resulted in the formation of 1. Mainzer Fußball- und Sportverein 05. Die Nullfünfer ("05") was a solid club that earned several regional league championships in the period between the wars and qualified for the opening round of the national championships in 1921, after winning the Kreisliga Hessen.[1]

Play during the Nazi era

edit

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the club played in the Bezirksliga Main-Hessen – Gruppe Hessen, and the results included first-place finishes in 1932 and 1933. The results merited the team a place in the Gauliga Südwest, one of 16 new first-division leagues formed in the re-organization of German football under the Third Reich. The club played only a single season at that level before being relegated, due to the high intensity play that they were unable to keep up with.[vague] Karl Scherm scored in 23 out of 44 matches with Mainz during his last season. In 1938, Mainz was forced into a merger with Reichsbahn SV Mainz and played as Reichsbahn SV Mainz 05 until the end of World War II.[1]

Long march to the Bundesliga

edit
 
Historical chart of 1. FSV Mainz league performance

After World War II, the club again joined the upper ranks of league play in Germany's Oberliga Südwest, but were never better than a mid-table side. It played in the top flight until the founding of the new professional league, the Bundesliga, in 1963 and would go on to play as a second division side for most of the next four decades.[vague] They withdrew for a time – from the late 1970s into the late 1980s – to the Amateur Oberliga Südwest (III), as the result of a series of financial problems.[vague][2] Mainz earned honours as the German amateur champions in 1982.[3]

The club returned to professional play with promotion to the 2. Bundesliga for a single season in 1988–89 with Bodo Hertlein as president, before finally returning for an extended run in 1990–91. Initially, they were perennial relegation candidates, struggling hard each season to avoid being sent down. However, under unorthodox trainer Wolfgang Frank, Mainz became one of the first clubs in German football to adopt a flat four zone defence, as opposed to the then-popular man-to-man defence using a libero.[3]

Mainz had three unsuccessful attempts to get to the top flight in 1996–97, 2001–02, and 2002–03, with close fourth-place finishes just out of the promotion zone. The last of those attempts stung[tone] as they were denied promotion in the 93rd minute of the last match of the season. One year earlier, Mainz became the best non-promoted team of all time in the 2. Bundesliga, with 64 points accumulated. However, the club's persistence paid dividends[jargon] after promotion to the Bundesliga in 2003–04 under head coach Jürgen Klopp. The club played three seasons in the top flight, but were relegated at the end of the 2006–07 season. Mainz secured promotion to the top flight again two years later, after the 2008–09 season.[3]

Mainz also earned a spot in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup in their debut Bundesliga season as Germany's nominee in the Fair Play draw which acknowledges positive play, respect for one's opponent, respect for the referee, the behaviour of the crowd and of team officials, as well as cautions and dismissals.[vague][4] Due to the Bruchweg stadium's limited capacity, the home matches in UEFA Cup were played in Frankfurt's Commerzbank-Arena.[5] After defeating Armenian club Mika and Icelandic club Keflavík in the qualifying rounds, Mainz lost to eventual champions Sevilla 2–0 on aggregate in the first round.[6]

In the 2010–11 season, Mainz equalled the Bundesliga starting record by winning their first seven matches that season.[7] They ended the season with their best finish to date in fifth place, good enough to secure them their second entry to the UEFA Europa League,[8] where they were eliminated in the third qualifying round by Romanian club Gaz Metan Mediaș.[3]

On the final matchday of the 2022–23 season, Mainz secured a 2–2 draw against league leaders Borussia Dortmund at their stadium, causing the latter to lose the title to Bayern Munich on goal difference.[9]

The 2023–24 season was challenging for Mainz, as they spent most of it in 17th place, with only two wins by matchday 25. However, they drastically improved under coach Bo Henriksen, remaining unbeaten in their last nine matches and winning five of them, including the final two against Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg. This impressive run lifted them from 16th to 13th place, ensuring their continued presence in the Bundesliga.[10]

Recent seasons

edit

The recent season-by-season performance of the club:[11][12]

Season Division Tier Position
1999–00 2. Bundesliga II 9th
2000–01 2. Bundesliga 14th
2001–02 2. Bundesliga 4th
2002–03 2. Bundesliga 4th
2003–04 2. Bundesliga 3rd ↑
2004–05 Bundesliga I 11th
2005–06 Bundesliga 11th
2006–07 Bundesliga 16th ↓
2007–08 2. Bundesliga II 4th
2008–09 2. Bundesliga 2nd ↑
2009–10 Bundesliga I 9th
2010–11 Bundesliga 5th
2011–12 Bundesliga 13th
2012–13 Bundesliga 13th
2013–14 Bundesliga 7th
2014–15 Bundesliga 11th
2015–16 Bundesliga 6th
2016–17 Bundesliga 15th
2017–18 Bundesliga 14th
2018–19 Bundesliga 12th
2019–20 Bundesliga 13th
2020–21 Bundesliga 12th
2021–22 Bundesliga 8th
2022–23 Bundesliga 9th
2023–24 Bundesliga 13th
Key
Promoted Relegated

Stadium

edit

The club plays its home matches at Mewa Arena, a new stadium opened in 2011 with a capacity of 34,034. The first event held at the new arena was the LIGA total! Cup 2011, which took place from 19 July through to 20 July 2011, with the other participants being Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV.[13]

Die Nullfünfer previously played at the Bruchwegstadion, built in 1928, and modified several times over the years[vague] to hold a crowd of over 20,300 spectators.[3] Averaging crowds of about 15,000 while in the 2. Bundesliga, the team's hard won[tone] recent[when?] success had them regularly filling their venue.[clarification needed] The average home league attendance during the 2015–16 season was 30,324 spectators.Nullfünfer[vague][14]

A panorama view of the Mewa Arena

Club culture

edit

Mainz is known for being one of the three foremost carnival cities in Germany, the others being Düsseldorf and Cologne. After every Mainzer goal scored at a home match, the "Narrhallamarsch", a famous German carnival tune, is played.[15]

Mainz sacked footballer Anwar El Ghazi who called for an end to the post-October 7th Israeli offensive on social media (Israel–Hamas war).  El Ghazi's comments "condemned the death of civilians, antisemitism, occupation, 'Apartheid' and 'genocide'" (Palestinian genocide, anti-semitism) and later, Mainz' labour court found the dismissal to have been illegally committed and FSV Mainz was ordered to honour Anwar El Ghazi's contract in full, including salary, contract extension, and bonuses.[16]

Reserve team

edit

The club's reserve team, Mainz 05 II, has also, with the rise of the senior side to Bundesliga level, risen through the ranks.[vague] The team first reached Oberliga level in 1999, followed by promotion to the Regionalliga in 2003.[citation needed] After playing there for two seasons, the team dropped to the Oberliga once more.[vague][citation needed] In 2008, it won promotion to the Regionalliga West again and when this league was reduced in size in 2012, it entered the new Regionalliga Südwest.[citation needed] A third-place finish in this league in 2014 allowed the team to enter the promotion round to the 3. Liga, where it was successful against the Regionalliga Nordost champions and played at this level in 2014–15.

European record

edit
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2005–06 UEFA Cup 1Q   Mika 4–0 0–0 4–0
2Q   Keflavík 2–0 2–0 4–0
1R   Sevilla 0–2 0–0 0–2
2011–12 UEFA Europa League 3Q   Gaz Metan Mediaș 1–1 1–1 2–2[a]
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 3Q   Asteras Tripoli 1–0 1–3 2–3
2016–17 UEFA Europa League Group C   Anderlecht 1–1 1–6 3rd
  Saint-Étienne 1–1 0–0
  Gabala 2–0 3–2
Notes
  • 1Q: First qualifying round
  • 2Q: Second qualifying round
  • 3Q: Third qualifying round
  • 1R: First round
  1. ^ Gaz Metan Mediaș progressed to play-off round after winning Penalty shoot-out 4–3.[citation needed]

Honours

edit
League
Regional
Youth
Individual Club Awards
Reserve team

Players

edit

Current squad

edit
As of 1 September 2024[17][18]
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   GER Lasse Rieß
2 DF   AUT Phillipp Mwene
3 DF   GER Moritz Jenz (on loan from VfL Wolfsburg)
4 MF   MAR Aymen Barkok
5 DF   GER Maxim Leitsch
6 MF   JPN Kaishū Sano
7 MF   KOR Lee Jae-sung
8 MF   GER Paul Nebel
9 FW   AUT Karim Onisiwo
11 FW   GER Armindo Sieb (on loan from Bayern Munich)
14 MF   KOR Hong Hyun-seok
16 DF   GER Stefan Bell
17 MF   CRO Gabriel Vidović (on loan from Bayern Munich)
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 MF   GER Nadiem Amiri
19 DF   FRA Anthony Caci
21 DF   GER Danny da Costa
22 DF   AUT Nikolas Veratschnig
25 DF   NOR Andreas Hanche-Olsen
27 GK   GER Robin Zentner
29 FW   GER Jonathan Burkardt (vice-captain)
30 DF   SUI Silvan Widmer (captain)
31 MF   GER Dominik Kohr
33 GK   GER Daniel Batz
41 MF   ALB Eniss Shabani
44 FW   GER Nelson Weiper
47 DF   GER Maxim Dal

Out on loan

edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF   SUI Edimilson Fernandes (at   Brest until 30 June 2025)
MF   GER Tom Krauß (at   Luton Town until 30 June 2025)
MF   GER Niklas Tauer (at   Eintracht Braunschweig until 30 June 2025)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW   FRA Ludovic Ajorque (at   Brest until 30 June 2025)
FW   GER Ben Bobzien (at   Austria Klagenfurt until 30 June 2025)
FW   GER Marco Richter (at   Hamburger SV until 30 June 2025)

Current coaching staff

edit
As of 1 January 2024.[19][20]
Head coach   Bo Henriksen
Assistant coach   Mikkel Jespersen
Assistant coach   Michael Silberbauer
Assistant coach   Sören Hartung
Fitness coach   Sven Herzog
Fitness coach   Axel Busenkell
Goalkeeping coach   Stephan Kuhnert
Analyst   Jannes Ehresmann

Managerial history

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Chronik – Der Anfang" (in German). Mainz 05. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Chronik – Nachkriegsjahre" (in German). Mainz 05. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Chronik – Bis Heute" (in German). Mainz 05. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Mainz set for European debut". UEFA. 2 June 2005. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Mainz 05 weicht nach Frankfurt aus" (in German). netzeitung.de. 11 June 2005. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Keine Sensation in Mainz, Sevilla siegt 2:0" (in German). n-tv.de. 29 September 2005. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Hamburg end Mainz's record bid". UEFA. 16 October 2010. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Season review: Germany". UEFA. 23 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Heartache for Borussia Dortmund as Mainz draw hands title to Bayern Munich". Bundesliga. 27 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Bundesliga great escape artists Mainz add another resurrection to folklore started by Jürgen Klopp". Bundesliga. 18 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Willkommen beim Deutschen Fußball-Archiv" [Welcome to the German Football Archives]. Das deutsche Fußball-Archiv (in German). Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016. Historical German domestic league tables
  12. ^ "News > Ergebnisse & Tabellen" [News > Results and Tables] (in German). Archived from the original on 21 July 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2016. Tables and results of all German football leagues
  13. ^ LIGA total! Cup 2011 in der Mainzer Coface Arena Archived 19 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Press release
  14. ^ "1. Bundesliga Zuschauer 2015/16". Kicker Online (in German). Nuremberg: Olympia-Verlag GmbH. n.d. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Der Narrhallamarsch" [The Narrhalla March] (in German). 8 September 2011. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Mainz wrong to sack El Ghazi over Gaza comments, court rules – DW – 07/12/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Mannschaft". mainz05.de. Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  18. ^ "1. FSV Mainz 05 Squad". bundesliga.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  19. ^ "1. FSV Mainz 05 Die Offizielle Website > Staff" [1. FSV Mainz 05 The Official Website > Staff]. Mainz05.de (in English and German). Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Svensson neuer 05-Cheftrainer". 1. FSV Mainz 05. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Bo Henriksen wird der neue Trainer bei Mainz 05". Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
edit