Bavarian Football Works - Bayern Munich loan Pierre-Emile Højbjerg to FC AugsburgManufacturing goals in the German tradition, for domestic consumption and for export.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47275/bavarian-fave.png2015-01-11T07:21:50+01:00http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/rss/stream/72876622015-01-11T07:21:50+01:002015-01-11T07:21:50+01:00Pierre Højbjerg knows emulating current Bayern stars is best for his career<blockquote>
<p><p>It is clear that Philipp Lahm, David Alaba and Toni Kroos are good examples. They became very good, and when they came back, they have managed to get in the team. This is a request scenario for me. But, now I'm in Augsburg. I'm not Philipp, David and Toni, but Pierre. I'm trying to find my way. For me, it's now the best to play here in Augsburg</p></p>
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<div class="source"><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gJXS2S9jKI">Pierre Højbjerg's introduction press conference with FC Augsburg</a></p></div>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2015/1/11/7527187/pierre-hojbjerg-knows-emulating-current-bayern-stars-is-best-for-hisPhillip Quinn2015-01-09T15:00:02+01:002015-01-09T15:00:02+01:00The potential success of Pierre Hojbjerg's loan
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<p>Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be the signing that vaults Augsburg into the Europa League places -- or higher -- this season.</p> <p>Let's face it; FC <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/augsburg" class="sbn-auto-link">Augsburg</a> doesn't have the perception of being the most glamorous loan destination for as highly touted a player as Pierre Hojbjerg is. Just a matter of two season ago, they were fighting for their Bundesliga lives on the last day of the season while <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayern Munich</a> were busy winning a treble. Following that 3-1 win over Greuther Furth, FC Augsburg has been nothing but exultant over the last 18 months under the coaching of Markus Weinzeirl.</p>
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<p>Last season, in dominating fashion, Augsburg clawed their way into mid-table, finishing the season just one point behind Thomas Tuchel's Mainz for the final Europa League qualification spot. While Tuchel's brilliant display at Mainz hid the rise of Augsburg, his departure over the summer has left room for Weinzeirl to slip in as the darling coach of the Bundesliga this term -- and it's not hard to see why.</p>
<p>Ausgburg have come out of the gate swinging, finishing the hinrunde in 6th place, with tactically astute play that can alternate between possessive and defensive faces. Their possession away from home is 6 percentage points higher then their possession stats at home, belying a side unafraid of opposition tactics and willing to take the game to their opponents.</p>
<p>However, the question then arises, if Augsburg are such a good team, how is there space for a developmental style loan like Pierre Hojbjerg? The answer to that lies in the composition of the Augsburg holding midfield. To date, Ausgburg has ridden the strength of Daniel Baier to their new heights. The 30-year-old Bundesliga stalwart has been a metronome-style force in the middle of the field for Augsburg -- averaging 62 passes per game as their possession hub -- while also supplying a stout defensive side and being the team's glue in midfield. Despite the fact that Hojbjerg's skill in possession is one of his greatest skills, it is not Daniel Baier that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg can supplant -- it is the opposite side of that partnership that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg replaces.</p>
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<p>Baier's partners to date have alternated between young 20-year-old Dominik Kohr and grizzled 32-year-old Bundesliga veteran Markus Feulner. The two have split duties as alternate central midfield options with Feulner in a box-to-box role opposed to Dominik Kohr's showings as a purely defensive option in Ausgburg's central midfield partnership. Between those two lies the strength of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.</p>
<p>With a solid defensive acumen and an ever-evolving attack oriented possession game, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has the wherewithal to slot into this Augsburg team in place of either option for Markus Weinzeirl. However, moving beyond that condition, it is that Hojbjerg allows Augsburg to remove their reliance on Daniel Baier. With Baier being a solid defensive player in his own right, bringing in another dynamic midfielder like Hojbjerg takes the onus for creative play off the shoulders of the 30-year-old or it allows him a spell of rest if needed. Even further then that though is that with<span> two deep lying midfielders capable of possession-based play and solid defense, the Augsburg attack becomes a much more dynamic construct. Add in both Kohr and Feulner, and suddenly Markus Weinzeirl has a massive tactical toolbox with which to work, especially considering Ausgburg are only competing on a single front this season.</span></p>
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<p>However, the end question is what can Hojbjerg get out of the loan. At the worst, <span>we could see a Julian Green situation where Hojbjerg can't break his way into Markus Weinzeirl's system. At the best, </span><span>the lights of the Europa League - or even the Champions League - could be shining on the pitch of the SGL Arena next season. That could be the end result if this loan works to it's maximal advantage, especially considering Weinzeirl already has Ausgburg more than halfway to that goal. </span></p>
<p><span></span><span>That's the upper limit of what Hojbjerg can do with his loan spell at Augsburg and considering just how incredible the young Danish international has shown he can play (see his performance against Manchester City for example), there's every reason to expect that both sides can get the most out of this loan move. </span></p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2015/1/9/7517093/bayern-munich-transfer-news-rumors-pierre-emile-hojbjerg-loan-augsburg-successRyan Cowper2015-01-08T17:53:18+01:002015-01-08T17:53:18+01:00Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg posing with his new Augsburg kit<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Cnyari/status/553232461975801856">Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg posing with his new Augsburg kit</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>It's official in writing, announcement, and now in photos! Pierre Hojbjerg is going on loan to FC Ausgburg</p></p></div>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2015/1/8/7514491/pierre-emile-hojbjerg-posing-with-his-new-augsburg-kitRyan Cowper2015-01-08T17:03:03+01:002015-01-08T17:03:03+01:00Bayern Announce Extension, Loan of Højbjerg
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<p>The club confirms their commitment to their 19-year-old Danish International</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> <a href="http://www.fcbayern.de/de/news/news/2015/presseerklaerung-pierre-emile-hojbjerg-leihe-fc-augsburg.php">have confirmed</a> Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has signed an extension until 2018, and the club will loan him to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/augsburg">Augsburg</a> until the end of the season.</p>
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<p>Hojbjerg (19) verlängert bis 2018 beim FCB! Wird aber bis Saisonende an den FC Augsburg ausgeliehen, um Spielpraxis zu bekommen. ^M.Hörwick</p>
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern/status/553212926212182016">January 8, 2015</a>
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<p>"The agreed upon contract extension until 2018 is a clear sign for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg that Bayern is building a future around him," said sporting director Matthias Sammer. "At the same time, the loan to Augsburg until the end of the season is a good option for him, to collect game experience before he returns to us."</p>
<p>Højbjerg now joins <span>Julian Green</span>, <span>Jan Kirchhoff</span>, and (<a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munich-transfer-rumors-news/2015/1/8/7513245/inter-milan-officials-in-munich-to-finalize-xherdan-shaqiri-transfer">as of today</a>) <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> as players on loan from Bayern, the most to be on loan simultaneously from the club since the 2009/10 season. Bayern now have 11 players committed to the team until 2018 and beyond. He is also the fourth home grown player to receive a new deal in the past two seasons, joining Alaba, Lahm, and Thomas Müller.</p>
<p>Højbjerg signed a three-year professional contract in the fall of 2013, and he spent a significant portion of the 2013/14 season on the bench as support for an injured Bayern midfield. He came to Pep Guardiola's rescue in the 2014 DFB-Pokal final, playing as a right full-back as Bayern went on to win 2-0 over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthewall.com/">Borussia Dortmund</a>. He received 13 appearances in the <i>Hinrunde</i>, most of which came when <span>David Alaba</span> and <span>Philipp Lahm</span> got hurt.</p>
<p>The 19-year-old will now join an Augsburg central midfield that includes Daniel Baier, Dominik Kohr, and Markus Feulner. Augsburg currently sit in sixth place in the Bundesliga table on 27 points, allowing Højbjerg to take part in his first chase for a Champions League spot.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munich-transfer-rumors-news/2015/1/8/7514009/bayern-munich-announce-extension-loan-to-augsburg-for-hojbjergDavis VanOpdorp2015-01-07T17:44:04+01:002015-01-07T17:44:04+01:00Report: Hojbjerg to join FC Augsburg on loan
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<p>The Dane's agent has confirmed that his agent will be headed to FC Augsburg on loan</p> <p>Two months of rumors and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg finally has his loan destintion. As reported by SportBILD, the young Danish international with join FC <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/augsburg" class="sbn-auto-link">Augsburg</a> this winter on a 6-month loan until the end of the season.</p>
<p>Speaking to the <a target="_blank" href="http://sportbild.bild.de/fussball/2015/fussball/schalke-talent-avdijaj-nach-sandhausen-39232010.sport.html">paper</a>, Hojbjerg's agent Soren Lerby said "Pierre-Emile goes for half a year to Augsburg. He should get some match practice. In May or June, we discuss how to proceed. " The original loan reports suggested that Hojbjerg would sign an extension with Bayern Munich before joining Augsburg for 18 months. It seems the timeline has shortened since that initial prognostication.</p>
<p>In addition, the fact that Pierre Hojbjger was not in training today for Bayern Munich adds fuel to the fire that this is perhaps the final puzzle piece in the loan deal that Hojbjerg needs to become one of <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayern Munich's</a> midfield stalwarts. All that remains now if for the clubs to officially announce the deal. As for Hojbjerg, it's hard to find a better, more talented, and committed team and coach then Augsburg and Markus Weinzeirl.</p>
<p>UPDATE: Kicker has independently <a href="http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/618539/artikel_hoejbjerg_ausleihe-zu-augsburg-perfekt.html#omrss_team_bayernmuenchen" target="_blank">reported</a> the loan and quotes from Soren Lerby. It's the real deal.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munich-transfer-rumors-news/2015/1/7/7508253/report-pierre-emile-hojbjerg-will-join-fc-augsburg-on-loanRyan Cowper2015-01-05T21:00:03+01:002015-01-05T21:00:03+01:00Augsburg and Hannover interested in Hojbjerg
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<p>Two of the most rumored loan destinations for Pierre Hojbjerg are now looking very promising</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> are considering loaning out Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg this winter and the links with possible suitors are growing stronger. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/augsburg">Augsburg</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/hannover-96">Hannover</a>, two of the most frequently linked clubs with Hojbjerg, are reportedly making serious in roads on bringing in the 19-year-old Bayern Munich prospect.</p>
<p>Sources reported to <a href="http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/618400/artikel_hoejbjerg-nach-augsburg_warten-auf-das-gruene-licht.html#omrss_team_bayernmuenchen" target="_blank">Kicker</a> today that Hojbjerg's agent Sören Lerby has been in Munich the past two days in talks with Bayern Munich. Reportedly, Hojbjerg will sign a contract extension through 2018 with Bayern Munich before being loaned out to Augsburg through the end of the 2016 season. Hojbjerg himself has also reportedly been in contact with Augsburg head coach Markus Weinzeirl as early as pre-Christmas and is seriously entertaining the loan.</p>
<p>Contrasting that report were the words of Hannover 96 director of sport, Dirk Dufner who spoke <a href="http://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/inhalt.leihe-zur-winterpause-hannover-96-bekraeftigt-interesse-an-hojbjerg.71635b55-5eca-471d-ba51-4a00894233e1.html" target="_blank">saying</a>, "We have already deposited our interest. Bayern can envision themselves loaning the player to Hannover." with regards to Hojbjerg.</p>
<p>With the performances the Danish international had made in the final run of the <i>hinründe</i>, it's not surprising that both clubs are re-asserting their stands for his services. With two of the Bundesliga's most promising young coaches in Markus Weinzeirl and Tayfun Korkut, and holes in exactly the space Hojbjerg is best in, either destination would be a boon for his development.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2015/1/5/7494823/pierre-hojbjerg-bayern-munich-transfer-loan-augsburg-hannover-bundesligaRyan Cowper2014-12-23T03:23:17+01:002014-12-23T03:23:17+01:00BILD: Augsburg "Favorites" to Land Højbjerg Loan
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<p>Bayern Munich's loan plan allegedly involves a contract extension until 2018. The decision is reportedly down to Hojbjerg on whether the 19-year-old wants to start playing his games down the street.</p> <p><a href="http://Pierre%20H%C3%B8jbjerg%20(FCB)" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Pierre Højbjerg</a> has spent a majority of his career on the <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayern Munich</a> bench, but he could be on his way to playing time. <a href="http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/pierre-emile-hoejbjerg/augsburg-jetzt-top-favorit-39082488.bild.html"><i>Bild</i></a> is reporting that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/augsburg" class="sbn-auto-link">Augsburg</a> are the current favorite to land the 19-year-old midfield wonder on loan.</p>
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<p>According to BILD-Information, the Fuggerstädter have the best hand in the Pierre-Emile Højbjerg "transfer poker." Bayern have decided to extend his 2016 expiring contract until 2018.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/2014-15/1/1-bundesliga/transfermarkt.html" style="background-color: #ffffff;"><i>Kicker</i></a> also reported Bayern's intension to extend Højbjerg until 2018 before sending him out on loan. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/borussia-moenchengladbach" class="sbn-auto-link">Borussia Mönchengladbach</a> were <a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/12/18/7415793/pierre-emile-hojbjerg-linked-with-loan-move-to-europa-league-club">also allegedly after the Danish international</a>, but <i>kicker</i> suggested that the <i>Fohlen</i> were only interested in a full transfer, eliminating them from any loan talk. <i>Bild</i> believes that the decision on an Augsburg move currently rests on Højbjerg's shoulders.</p>
<p>Højbjerg has tallied 544 minutes in all competitions so far this season, by far the most he has received at the senior level. He filled the injury void at times the end of the Hinrunde that <span>Philipp Lahm</span> and <span>David Alaba</span> left in midfield, but more times than not, Guardiola supplemented the loss of his players with attacking power. When players begin to return from injury, Højbjerg appears to be on the outside looking in.</p>
<p>Augsburg manager Markus Weinzierl is currently utilizing Daniel Baier and Dominik Kohr as his two main holding midfield. Kohr's loan from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/bayer-leverkusen" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayer Leverkusen</a> ends after the <i>Rückrunde</i>, a factor that might lead to a longer loan-spell for Højbjerg in Augsburg. Bayern's Bavarian neighbors are making a push towards European competition, a threshold where they will need all the depth they can get.</p>
<p>Should Bayern confirm a loan move for Højbjerg, he could follow in the footsteps of recent departure and former academy product Toni Kroos. The now <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a> player spent a season and a half with Leverkusen between January 2010 and June 2011 before becoming a mainstay in Bayern's midfield.</p>
<p>Fellow midfielders Mehmet Ekici and Alaba departed on shorter loans – Ekici for a year at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/nurnberg" class="sbn-auto-link">Nürnberg</a> and Alaba for six months at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/hoffenheim" class="sbn-auto-link">Hoffenheim</a> – and while Alaba was able to break into the first team, Bayern eventually sold Ekici upon his return to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/werder-bremen" class="sbn-auto-link">Werder Bremen</a>. Højbjerg would be the seventh player in the last five years that Bayern has loaned within the Bundesliga, but just the fourth academy product.</p>
<p>The countdown until the January <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors" class="sbn-auto-link">transfer window</a> is now down to 10 days, meaning Højbjerg's decision could come soon.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munich-transfer-rumors-news/2014/12/23/7436403/bild-augsburg-favorites-to-land-bayern-munich-pierre-emile-hojbjerg-on-transfer-loanDavis VanOpdorp2014-12-18T17:55:22+01:002014-12-18T17:55:22+01:00Hojbjerg on loan to Gladbach?
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<p>Pierre Hojbjerg's long rumored loan move finally has a destination. </p> <p>Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg may be going on loan. It's been a dashing rumor for a little while in <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayern Munich</a> circles and it's finally found some legs in the form of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/borussia-moenchengladbach" class="sbn-auto-link">Borussia Mönchengladbach</a>, according to <a href="http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/2014-15/1/1-bundesliga/transfermarkt.html">Kicker</a>. The German paper is reporting that Hojbjerg may go on loan during the winter break for the remainder of the season.</p>
<p>For a side like Mönchengladbach that are competing in the extremely tough Europa League knockouts in addition to chasing a Champions League spot in the Bundesliga, having an extra set of hands in midfield would be a huge blessing - especially hands as capable as Pierre Hojbjerg's. The recent injury to <span>Granit Xhaka</span> and 'Gladbachs tumble away from Bayern Munich in the table exposed the lack of depth they have, despite the brilliance of Cristoph Kramer. Bringing in Hojbjerg would go a long way towards addressing those needs, if the report is true.</p>
<p>However, the looming question totally ignored by this report is the strained relationship between Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Foals technical director Max Eberl has made it no secret that he is incredibly displeased with Bayern Munich after the perceived shenanigans during the <span>Sinan Kurt</span> transfer. That move reputedly scuttled a sale/buy-back move for the talented Alessandro Schöpf last summer (he eventually joined FC Nürnberg), and there hasn't been anything to indicate the two organizations are on friendly terms again.</p>
<p>It will at least be an interesting saga to follow.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/12/18/7415793/pierre-emile-hojbjerg-linked-with-loan-move-to-europa-league-clubRyan Cowper