Schuster’s Freiburg Chase Europa League Immortality in Istanbul

SC Freiburg face the biggest match in their history on Wednesday in the Europa League final against Aston Villa in Istanbul, but the club’s focus extends beyond the result. Regardless of the outcome, the team will attend a reception in Freiburg on Thursday to honor their remarkable season and the journey that brought them to this stage.

Freiburg have never won a major trophy, their closest attempt a penalty shootout loss to RB Leipzig in the 2022 DFB Pokal final. Yet their presence in the Europa League final is a testament to the club’s resilience, particularly notable for achieving this without Christian Streich, the longest-serving Bundesliga coach who stepped down in 2024 after nearly 30 years at Freiburg in various capacities, including 12½ years as head coach.

Streich transformed Freiburg from a second-division side into a Bundesliga mainstay, guiding them through survival battles, European qualification, and a move from the old Dreisamstadion to the modern Europa-Park Stadion. Under his stewardship, the club entered a new dimension, reminiscent of Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal or Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid in their provincial yet ambitious identity.

Streich was more than a fixture at Freiburg; he was a national symbol of the club, similar to Jürgen Klopp in his totemic influence. As a spiritual leader, he engaged with media and fans not just on tactics but on life philosophy, speaking with a down-to-earth humility rare among coaches. He famously cycled to training and home matches, and upon retirement, took a work placement at a local bike shop, Brody Bikeservice, to supplement his punditry work.

Given Streich’s legacy, it was logical that his successor, chosen with his input, was Julian Schuster. Schuster had captained Streich’s team for 10 years before retiring in 2018, then joined the coaching staff while earning his DFB pro license. For a club built on continuity, the appointment made sense, but succeeding a club legend carried inherent risks.

Schuster’s performance in his first two seasons as a senior head coach has been remarkable. Last season, Freiburg missed Champions League qualification after a final-day loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, despite spending the last three-quarters of the campaign in the top four. This season proved even more impressive, given that setback and the departure of forward Ritsu Doan to Frankfurt. Freiburg secured seventh place with a 4-1 thrashing of third-placed Leipzig on the final day, guaranteeing European football; a loss to Aston Villa would send them to the Conference League.

Managing the team’s focus so close to the final demonstrated Schuster’s emotional intelligence. Under his guidance, Freiburg’s style has evolved: they still average under 50% possession but press and tackle more aggressively. This approach can create vulnerabilities against top opponents, but the team boasts technical quality and experienced players like Matthias Ginter, expected to make Germany’s World Cup squad, and Vincenzo Grifo, a set-piece threat, alongside promising youngsters Johan Manzambi and Igor Matanovic.

While Streich laid the foundation, Schuster has accelerated the progress. Freiburg’s modesty remains intact; the club has not forgotten its roots. Scout chief Klemens Hartenbach still celebrates with champagne when the team reaches 40 points, a tradition that underscores the enduring influence of Streich’s philosophy.

The farewell to Nicolas Höfler epitomized Freiburg’s journey. After his 382nd appearance against Leipzig, the 36-year-old, who joined the club at age 15, waved a tearful goodbye to home fans. A banner behind the goal thanked him for his service, spanning the club’s rise from the second division to the Europa League final. When supporters chanted “Thank you for everything,” they meant it literally. If Freiburg win in Istanbul, Schuster and his team will receive a lifetime of gratitude.