How Mainz 05’s Impressive Season Could End In Champions League Qualification

The Bundesliga has been no short of surprises this season. No one is too shocked to see Bayern Munich at the summit, however their rivals and last year’s Champions League runners up Borussia Dortmund look likely to miss out on Europe altogether this campaign. On top of that, St. Pauli, who were promoted from the Bundesliga 2 last season, are putting up an impressive defensive display and Heidenheim, who faced Chelsea in the Conference League earlier this season, could face relegation. However the biggest story coming out of the German top tier at the moment, is Mainz’s eye-catching campaign.

Mainz 05’s History

Mainz have been a side that have enjoyed Bundesliga football for some time now, however it wasn’t always like that. They first tasted Bundesliga football in 2004, with Jurgen Klopp at the wheel and have since then remained in the top flight, except for two years in the 2000s. Despite this recent history in the German top flight, they have only managed a top 10 finish on five occasions, and a top five finish just once, back in 2011.

Their top five finish in 2010/11 happened at a perfect time for the club as they moved into their new stadium that summer. Their ground holds over 30,000 supporters and was opened with the idea that it would be a venue for not only Bundesliga games, but eventually games in Europe’s elite competitions.

📍MEWA ARENA #M05BOC pic.twitter.com/j9ziN0n2xy

— 1. FSV Mainz 05 (@1FSVMainz05) January 11, 2025

Their only forays into European football since 2010 have included two defeats in the third round of Europa League qualifying in 2011 and 2014, and one single season in the Group Stage of that competition back in the 2016/17 season. They finished third in a group with Anderlecht, Saint Etienne and Gabala, winning twice.

Mainz Last Season

Last season they struggled, and only managed to survive by going unbeaten in the last nine matches. Bo Henriksen joined the club as manager in February following the sackings of both Bo Svenssen and Jan Siewert. Before he joined, Mainz had managed just one win in the entire campaign, and many assumed that they would just fail to gain any momentum, but after a tough start with a 8-1 loss to Bayern at the beginning of March, Henriksen managed to get them over the line.

Bo Henriksen has been named Denmark's Coach of the Year 2025 🇩🇰👏

Congrats, boss! ❤️🤍#Mainz05 pic.twitter.com/rQwV84ZoNq

— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) March 27, 2025

They finished 13th but many assumed that they would struggle again this season, having not made many significant signings in the transfer window. They also lost a few key players in the summer, like Sepp van den Berg. The Dutch defender returned to his parent club Liverpool following the end of the loan deal. Ludovic Ajorque also left the club on loan, having played 26 league games the previous campaign.

Mainz This Season

At the start of the season, German football fans were split on how they thought Mainz would do this season. Henriksen had done well since he took over and so many thought that they would do similarly, however, as previously mentioned, the transfer window did not fill many Mainz fans with a lot of confidence. This season started slowly, with just two wins in their first nine matches. At the start of November they were in 13th, exactly where they had finished last season. However, six wins from their next seven games, including a victory over Bayern Munich, saw Mainz move up to sixth.

January wasn’t a great month for the club, with losses to Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin back to back, but they regained form in February and March, beating other teams that are also eyeing European football, in RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach. They now have seven matches left, including playing all three of the current top three teams. Currently in fourth, they would qualify for the Champions League should they maintain their recent form, however they do have difficult games ahead.

🚨🔴 Excl | Jonathan #Burkardt is on FC Bayern’s list. The 24-y/o Mainz striker is one of several names being considered by Bayern as a versatile backup for Harry #Kane.

Bayern have all the relevant information and appreciate his profile. He would be affordable. Burkardt’s… pic.twitter.com/aGgITLulyX

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 21, 2025

One player who has stood out this season has been Jonathan Burkardt. The 24-year-old striker has scored 15 goals in 23 matches in the league this campaign and has even taken on the responsibilities of captain. These performances have earned him his debut for the German national team and even seen him turn the heads of Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur. He has undoubtedly been Mainz’s best player this season, however the campaign is not over yet and there are still three other teams within three points of them, so Burkardt will need to continue leading the club in the same vein should he want them qualify for the Champions League.