VfB Lübeck: With a small squad and great, the new season!

VfB Lübeck: With a small squad and great, the new season!

Lübeck, Deutschland - VfB Lübeck has recently struggled with challenges. The traditional association starts the 2025/26 season with a reduced squad and a tense financial Situation. The association has a number of departures and strives for stability and a fresh start after taking the seventh place in the regional league Nord in the previous season. In this context, Kicker.de at the beginning of the season only consists of 15 players.

The financial situation of VfB Lübeck was particularly tense. The association fought with an impending bankruptcy and had to close a hole of one million euros to secure its fortexist. The budget for the squad was reduced to around 550,000 euros less, which is 200,000 less than last season, such as Transfermarkt.de reported. Contract negotiations stall because eleven regular players have left the club. Only five players have extended their contract and a new addition was obliged.

Financial rescue action

To avert bankruptcy, an impressive sum was collected in a short time. Supporters such as fans, sponsors and other clubs mobilized and collected around one million euros within a very short time. Carsten Abbe, the chairman of the supervisory board, called this an "surgery on the open heart" and spoke of a necessary rehab phase for the club. CEO Dieter Gudel announced on Sunday evening that the bankruptcy could be averted after 600,000 euros came together in a remarkable fundraiser in just two days, such as ndr.de reported.

The money was collected through various activities, including a large Advent singing with around 4,000 participants and donations. VfB goalkeeper Noah Oberbeck also contributed to financial relief with the sale of fan articles. Despite the rescue campaigns initiated, the stadium costs remained a major burden on the association, which had risen sharply in recent years.

A look into the future

The next time remains challenging. Those responsible are aware that the situation remains difficult without new investors. Dr. Dieter Gudel is working on finding new sponsors after earlier partners have jumped off. The association was still able to win new main sponsors in terms of its financial comes. In addition, the Supervisory Board has resigned in recent months, which has additional uncertainties.

With a clear preparation plan in view, VfB Lübeck has future games against Oldenburger SV, SSV Jeddeloh and other planned encounters. The Summer Cup of the HAFT 1816 in Hamburg will be another important point in preparation, with a round of 16 that will be held on July 12th and 13th. The fans and those responsible hope that in this difficult phase an early turnaround will succeed and the Lübeck can be brought back into the right light.