Reawakening the Lions – TSV 1860 München

leckuno

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Messages
1,951
Reaction score
3,380
Points
113

There are football clubs that chase glory, and then there are clubs that remember it.


TSV 1860 München belong firmly in the second category — a club whose past achievements echo louder than their present realities, whose supporters cling not to delusion but to memory. In a city dominated by one of the most successful football machines on the planet, 1860 stand as Munich’s stubborn, battered, blue‑blooded soul.


I’m stepping into the chaos with one mission:
Bring the Lions back to the top — and beat Bayern to get there.


Long before Bayern München became a global superpower, 1860 were the pride of the city. They were:
  • Bundesliga champions in 1966​
  • DFB‑Pokal winners​
  • European competitors​
  • A club that produced legends and packed stadiums​

For decades, the Lions were the ones setting the pace in Munich. Bayern were the noisy neighbours — ambitious, yes, but still in the shadow of the established giants in blue.

But football is cruel, and history doesn’t protect you from mismanagement.

1860’s decline wasn’t a sudden collapse — it was a slow, painful unravelling:​
  • Financial crises​
  • Boardroom infighting​
  • Relegations​
  • Failed promotions​
  • A disastrous drop into the Regionalliga​
  • A return to the beloved but ageing Grünwalder Stadion​

The club became a cautionary tale: a giant that forgot how to stand, let alone roar. While Bayern built an empire, 1860 built scar tissue. The fans never left. They never stopped singing. They never stopped believing that one day, the Lions would rise again.

Let’s be honest: Bayern don’t see 1860 as rivals anymore. Not because the hatred is gone — far from it — but because the fixture disappeared. You can’t have a derby when one club is winning Champions Leagues and the other is fighting for survival. But that’s exactly what makes this save compelling. This isn’t just about promotion. This isn’t just about rebuilding. This is about restoring the Munich derby — and then winning it. The goal isn’t to coexist with Bayern. The goal is to challenge them, overtake them, and remind the world that Munich has two giants.​

This save has a clear blueprint:

1. Rebuild the Identity


High‑energy football. Youth development. A squad that reflects the grit of Giesing.

2. Climb the Pyramid


Promotion isn’t enough — we need momentum.
We need belief.
We need a squad that grows with the club.

3. Return to the Bundesliga


Not as tourists.
Not as survivors.
But as a club with purpose.

4. Take the Fight to Bayern


The Allianz Arena casts a long shadow.
We’re here to step out of it.


The long‑term goal is simple:
Win the Bundesliga/
It’s audacious.
It’s borderline delusional.
It’s exactly what 1860 München were built for.

The save starts now.
A fallen giant.
A city waiting.
A rivalry paused but not forgotten.


This is the story of a club that refuses to die — and a manager determined to bring the roar back to Munich.
 
TSV 1860 München: Lions in Waiting

The sun rises over Giesing, and with it, a new chapter begins.

Pre-season is more than fitness drills and tactical tweaks — it’s the moment where dreams are sketched, squads are sculpted, and identities are forged. For TSV 1860 München, this isn’t just another campaign. It’s the start of a resurrection.

The squad is lean. The budget is tight. The expectations are sky-high.
But beneath the surface, there’s a quiet confidence. The Lions are waking.

Attack – The Teeth of the Lion

1767733078409.webp


At 32, Volland arrives like a thunderclap. Bundesliga pedigree, European experience, and a left foot that still whispers danger. He’s not just a striker — he’s a statement. The fans know it. The dressing room feels it. He’ll lead the line, mentor the youth, and carry the burden of expectation.


Volland is the spearhead. Hobsch and Steinkötter are the shadows. The question isn’t who starts — it’s who survives the season as the system evolves.


Midfield – The Pulse of Giesing
1767733148946.webp


The midfield will define the tempo. If Volland is to thrive, he’ll need service, grit, and vision behind him. This is the area most ripe for tactical experimentation — and potential recruitment.


Defence & Goalkeepers – The Grit Factor

1767733213106.webp


1860’s soul lives in its backline. The fans don’t want flair — they want fight. Whoever anchors the defence must embody the club’s defiant spirit.

Squad Depth and Dynamics
  • Age Profile: Skews veteran — experience over exuberance​
  • Wage Structure: Surprisingly efficient — no bloated contracts​
  • Potential vs Reality: Several players maxed out — youth development will be key​
  • Squad Status: Volland is the only “Important Player” — others must earn their stripes​

Final Word: The Lions Are Stirring

This squad isn’t perfect. It’s not deep. It’s not flashy.
But it’s ready.

Ready to fight.
Ready to grow.
Ready to challenge the red empire across town.

The journey begins now.
And if this squad finds its rhythm, Munich might just remember what it means to roar in blue.​
 
Preseason Update

TSV 1860 München: Lions Sharpen Their Claws


Preseason is never about perfection. It’s about rhythm, identity, and glimpses of what might be. For TSV 1860 München, the summer of 2026 has been a rollercoaster of goals, grit, and growing belief. Eight matches, a mixed bag of results, but one clear message: the Lions are learning to roar again.


Screenshot 2026-01-06 210807.webp


Paderborn – A narrow defeat to a strong side, defensive lapses punished but attacking intent clear.
Wegberg-Beeck – Ruthless finishing, Volland leading the line with authority, a statement of attacking power.
Bochum – A disciplined win against Bundesliga opposition, resilience and tactical maturity on display.
SV Strass – A comfortable victory, squad rotation proving depth and sharpness.
Eintracht Frankfurt – A thrilling draw, toe-to-toe with one of Germany’s elite, belief growing.
Altona 93 – Professional, efficient, and another step in building momentum.
Bayer Leverkusen – A reality check against top-tier quality, defensive frailties exposed.
1860 München – A confident finale, clean sheet, and attacking fluency to close preseason on a high.

What We Learned
  • Attack is our weapon. With Volland spearheading the line, goals are flowing. 24 scored in 8 games — proof that the Lions can bite.​
  • Defence needs steel. Conceding 14 shows the backline remains a work in progress. Against Leverkusen and Paderborn, the gaps were glaring.​
  • We can compete with the elite. Draws and wins against Bundesliga sides (Frankfurt, Bochum) prove this squad isn’t just here to survive — it’s here to challenge.​
  • Squad depth matters. Rotation games against Strass and Altona showed fringe players can step up, easing the burden on Volland and the veterans.​
The Road Ahead

Preseason has painted a picture of promise and peril. The Lions are dangerous going forward, spirited in midfield, but still vulnerable at the back. The challenge now is consistency — turning flashes of brilliance into week-in, week-out dominance.


The fans demand more than survival. They demand a fight.

Screenshot 2026-01-06 210759.webp
 
Back
Top