Mainz

Mainz is a club that's probably happy just to still be around. Founded in 1905, the team was almost driven out of existence in 1982 after it was discovered a former club president had embezzled large sums of money. And their history hasn't always been all that been easier since. Mainz finished fourth in division two, one spot shy of promotion, four times.

Now fans hope all that is about to change. Last year Mainz finished fifth (its second top-half placing on the trot), and begin this year in a new state-of-the-art stadium, the Coface-Arena. If coach Thomas Tuchel can keep wringing out results with his system of ruthless squad rotation, Mainz could be on the way to building a solid foundation for years to come.

Fun fact: Mainz are known as the "Karneval Club" and their most prominent super-fan comes to matches dressed up as a clown called Bajazz.

Author: Matt Hermann

Editor: Sean Sinico