3. Liga clubs gear up for new season with surveys, rule changes and injury updates

A coaches' poll ahead of the 3. Liga season showed 1. FC Saarbrücken viewed as an outsider, receiving only one vote, while Hansa Rostock topped the list with unanimous support, followed by Fortuna Düsseldorf and Rot‑Weiss Essen. The survey also noted that Saarbrücken’s own coach, Argirios Giannikis, did not rank his team among the favorites.

The league introduced six new rule changes aimed at speeding up play, including a ten‑second limit for players to leave the field after a substitution, a five‑second countdown for throw‑ins and goal‑kicks, stricter handling of injured players, and tighter advantage rulings.

Injury news highlighted SSV Jahn Regensburg’s goalkeeper Hannes Hermann being named the new number one, while defender Marco Wörner suffered a ligament tear that will sideline him for three to four weeks.

Fortuna Düsseldorf coach Alexander Ende expressed confidence in his overhauled squad, aiming for rapid success after a recent relegation. Jahn Regensburg’s managing director Philipp Hausner discussed the club’s restructuring, AI‑driven scouting and resilience following a turbulent previous season.

SV Elversberg prepared for its first Bundesliga season with an unusual one‑day test match in Mallorca, flying to the Spanish stadium and back on the same day.