Vincent Wagner named SV Elversberg manager
Last week, Nils-Ole Book calmly presented the new manager SV Elversberg: Vincent Wagner is coming to Kaiserlinde from Kraichgau. After some successful years in the youth division at TSG Hoffenheim, the 38 year old is taking on his first professional football team – and cannot wait to get started.
A manager with clear ideas
SV Elversberg are lining up on the start of the new second-division season with Vincent Wagner. This is the 38 year old’s first manager post in professional football. The decision to appoint Wagner was deliberate and well-considered, as sports director Nils-Ole Book explained: ‘We have taken an in-depth look at Vincent, his footballing focus and his personality. With everything that he has to offer, he is a very good fit for us.’
Wagner emphasised that he had been impressed with SVE‘s style of play: ‘I am delighted to be joining the Elversberg family. They way they have been playing football is very exciting to me. I really identify with it.’ the North Rhine-Westphalian will be seeking to build on the team’s bold and active style in recent years. ‘We want to ensure bold, intensive, and above all smart play’, was how he described his vision. ‘These are the three elements that set us apart.’
I am delighted to be joining the Elversberg family.
Vincent Wagner
Hoffenheim: developing young talent
Before Wagner moved to Saarland, he spent three years coaching TSG Hoffenheim’s U23 team. The first-division club’s second team played in the Regionalliga Südwest and was one of the most consistent in the league under his leadership. After two third places in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, in 2024/25 they won the championship title – putting the Hoffenheim U23s up to the third division for the first time.
Wagner is grateful for his time in Hoffenheim: ‘I would like to thank everyone who has placed their trust in me – as a deputy to Jens Rasiejewski, who brought me in with a clear idea, and to Frank Kramer, with whom I was able to continue the work.’ he particularly emphasised that Hoffenheim was about not just results, but also player development: ‘Looking back, we can all say that the plan worked 100 percent.’
One central part of Wagner’s work at TSG was promoting young talent. Numerous players from his squad later gained spots with professional teams – whether at Hoffenheim or other clubs. These include Joshua Quarshie, Bambasé Conté and Paul Hennrich. Players such as Tom Bischof and Umut Tohumcu also gained a final polish with the U23 team.
Frank Kramer, who worked with Wagner as the sporting director of the youth division, considers this approach to represent TSG’s philosophy: ‘Vincent was not home-grown, but he developed further with us – just like many of his players. Now he is taking the next step.’
Despite numerous enquiries from other clubs, Wagner deliberately opted for Elversberg. ‘For a long time, there was no question of me moving’, he said, looking back. He only began considering a move once sports director Book got in touch: ‘We chatted, and it became clear relatively quickly that we had a similar way of thinking.’ This made the decision easy.
We chatted, and it became clear relatively quickly that we had a similar way of thinking.
Wagner is excited about his new role: ‘I have heard a lot of good things about the team and also seen how they play football. You can learn a lot about a team’s character from that.’ He is looking forward to getting started with training:
I can’t wait to begin work and am looking forward to meeting the boys.
Planning for the new season
The first training session is currently planned for 20 June – according to the Saarbrücker Zeitung. Until then, hard work will continue behind the scenes to hone the squad. Other additions are planned, especially in full-back, central defence and attacking positions.
Wagner, who is currently completing his UEFA Pro licence, has some clear ideas for squad planning. He is working with Nils-Ole Book to give the team a targeted boost and prepare for the new season.
By moving to Elversberg, Wagner is making his first foray into the professional football arena as a manager. This is the logical next step for him. Expectations remain deliberately realistic. Wagner offers experience from young talent development, a clear idea of play – and a willingness to improve.
SV Elversberg in turn are focusing on continuity of style, combined with new drive. This shared collaboration will begin with an open exchange of ideas, clear objectives – and a desire to build on what has been achieved so far. ‘This move is a huge opportunity for me and an exciting task that I am very much looking forward to’, Vincent Wagner said in summary.