News: Sandro Wagner, Mario Gomez, Wayne Rooney

When Sandro Wagner speaks, he does so with passion. He could read the instructions for a milk frother and it would sound as if he were declaring world peace. It was no surprise that 50 media representatives turned up when he officially introduced himself at FC Augsburg – more than ever before. It was equally unsurprising that the press conference turned into a disguised stand-up routine. The 37-year-old speaks in such coded language one moment (“through shot,” “long line,” “target player”), he speaks so clearly and down-to-earth the next. Bad players are then “sausages,” kicking a ball out of the danger zone is called “doing the Pepe,” and he calls his four daughters his “predators.” Wagner works in images, symbols, sometimes colors. There are red and blue zones on the field; in Unterhaching, he had his players draw pictures and create lifelines; everyone was asked to bring childhood photos and favorite jerseys – for self-motivation. Wagner's dedication and inventiveness are intended to brighten up the dowdy FCA, to give the club a certain charisma—if that word even exists. If not, Sandro Wagner would probably invent it very soon.