Mainz 05 have appointed Fabio Gruber as their new head coach. The 44-year-old signed a contract until 2028 on Monday, succeeding Bo Svensson, as reported by the Rhein-Zeitung.
Gruber was most recently an assistant coach to Roger Schmidt at Portuguese champions Benfica Lisbon. He previously gained experience as an assistant at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. His first task is preparing for the new Bundesliga season, which starts for Mainz 05 on August 21st with an away match at VfB Stuttgart. The current squad overview can be found on our squad page.
Who is the new coach Fabio Gruber?
Fabio Gruber brings experience from top leagues, although he has never worked as a sole head coach before. His career as an assistant took him from the Bayern Munich youth setup to the club's professionals, then to stints in Leipzig and Lisbon. In Portugal, he won the league title with Benfica. "I know the Bundesliga very well and I am looking forward to the challenge at Mainz 05," Gruber told the Rhein-Zeitung. Sporting director Christian Heidel emphasized the importance of a clear playing philosophy for the coming season.
What are Gruber's tasks at Mainz?
The new coach's main job will be to stabilize the team after a disappointing 14th-place finish last season. Mainz 05 fought against relegation for a long time and ended the campaign with 36 points. A look at the standings shows the tightly packed mid-table. Gruber must also compensate for the departures of key players like long-time captain Stefan Bell, who has retired. The injury situation, visible under injuries, will be another factor in pre-season preparations.
What does the pre-season schedule look like?
Pre-season for the 2026/27 campaign begins for Mainz 05 in the first week of July. A first friendly is planned for mid-July before the team goes to a training camp. The first official competitive match is the first round of the DFB-Pokal at the end of July. The complete schedule for pre-season and Bundesliga matches is available on our fixtures page. The club's management has already signaled its intention to be active in the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad for Gruber's system.
What does the change mean for the playing style?
Under Bo Svensson, Mainz 05 often relied on intense pressing phases and direct build-up play. Fabio Gruber is likely to incorporate elements from his time with Roger Schmidt, who is known for aggressive counter-pressing and high tempo. It will be important to see how Gruber integrates existing players like offensive threat Jonathan Burkardt or experienced midfielder Anton Stach into his concept. The team must prepare for a possible shift in tactical approach, although details are not yet public.
The appointment of Fabio Gruber marks a fresh start for Mainz 05 after a difficult season. The first impressions of his work will come during friendlies and the cup opener before the Bundesliga starts in August. Planning for the coming weeks is already in full swing.
