Second representatives in the 2nd league: opportunity or dead end for talent?

Second representatives in the 2nd league: opportunity or dead end for talent?

In the Austrian football scene, the 2nd league offers a platform for talented young players from the country's four largest clubs. How 90minuten.at reports, a clever workaround from Red Bull allows these talents to gain regular match practice. These developments are met with differing opinions among club representatives.

The sporting advantages are undeniable: the playing experience gained in the 2nd league is of great importance for the young athletes. But in addition to the sporting aspects, financial considerations are also crucial. Since fewer clubs benefit from funding, clubs can benefit significantly from this regulation.

The situation in the 2nd league

Although the number of spectators at home games is often low and the teams' performances fluctuate, this should not be a decisive argument, according to experts. The differentiation between opponents like Lafnitz or Sturm II is becoming increasingly less important. A league with 16 teams is expected in the future, which could significantly expand the circle of possible second division teams.

Another focus is on the young talents who will be used directly in the 2nd league. In the current season, 38 players under the age of 20 have already made their debut ZDF reported. In comparison, only 22 teenagers have made their debut in the Bundesliga so far. Particularly noteworthy are Julian Pauli from 1. FC Köln and Ibrahim Maza from Hertha BSC Berlin, who are considered great talents.

The DFL is promoting this trend by providing 4% of media revenue for youth development, with two thirds of these funds being used for the use of U23 players. After the 2022/23 season, a total of 33.8 million euros were distributed to the clubs, with Greuther Fürth, Schalke and Cologne receiving significant amounts.

Promoting talent in German football

With its talent development program (TFP), the DFB has established a strategic approach to discover and promote young footballers in Germany. Over 339 bases across the country form the basis for a systematic screening of talent. Every year, around 14,000 players of prime learning age are seen, with 1,200 qualified trainers providing individual support, as shown on the website DFB is explained.

The TFP is structured in such a way that it acts as a bridge between club youth work and the performance centers, with the focus on the individual training of players in the age range U12 to U15 for boys and U16 for girls. This is crucial in order to create a pool of strong, technically skilled and creative players.

Overall, it can be seen that the course is being set for a successful future for German football both in the 2nd league and through the DFB's structured funding programs. Promoting young talent could be the key to ensuring long-term competitiveness in international football.