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SC Paderborn 07

SC Paderborn 07, officially known as Sport-Club Paderborn 07 e.V., is a professional football club based in , , , that currently competes in the , the second tier of the . Founded on June 1, 1985, through the merger of three local clubs—FC Paderborn, Sportfreunde Paderborn, and TuS Schloß Neuhaus—the team traces its roots back to 1907 and began competing in the third tier of German football following the amalgamation. With approximately 9,507 members (as of July 2025), the club plays its home matches at the , a with a capacity of 15,000 spectators located at Paderborner Straße 89. The club's rise to prominence occurred in the 21st century, marked by steady progression through the leagues after years in regional divisions. Key achievements include multiple wins in the Landespokal Westfalen, with victories in the 1984/85, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04, 2016/17, and 2017/18 seasons, qualifying them for the DFB-Pokal on several occasions. They achieved promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in 2004/05, 2008/09, and 2017/18, and reached the Bundesliga twice—first in 2014/15 after winning promotion at the end of 2013/14, and again via back-to-back promotions culminating in 2018/19—though they were relegated immediately after each stint in 2014/15 and 2019/20. A notable highlight was on September 20, 2014, when midfielder Moritz Stoppelkamp scored the Bundesliga's longest-ever goal from 82.3 meters against SC Freiburg. As of 18 November 2025, during the 2025/26 season, SC Paderborn 07 leads the standings with 29 points and a +10 after 12 matches, boasting a young squad of 30 players with an average age of 23.7 years. The club has faced challenges, including relegations to the in 2015/16 and 2007/08, but has stabilized as a competitive force in the second division, emphasizing youth development and regional support.

History

Fusion into SC Paderborn

In 1985, the city of witnessed a significant in its local scene when two longstanding rival clubs, FC Paderborn and SV 07/10 Schloß Neuhaus, merged to create a unified entity capable of competing at higher levels. FC Paderborn traced its roots to early 20th-century teams like FC Preußen Paderborn (founded 1908) and had evolved through several mergers, including one in 1969 between VfJ 08 and SV 13 to form 1. FC Paderborn 08/13, establishing it as a competitive force in the . Meanwhile, SV 07/10 Schloß Neuhaus originated from the 1973 union of SV 07 Neuhaus and TuS , building a strong amateur tradition in the region. The merger, finalized on June 1, 1985, was driven by financial and athletic constraints facing both clubs in the third tier, aiming to combine talent pools, infrastructure, and fan bases to pursue promotion to professional leagues. The newly formed club adopted the name TuS Paderborn/Neuhaus (also stylized as TuS 07/10 Paderborn-Neuhaus) and immediately entered the for the 1985/86 season, where it achieved a promising second-place finish, signaling the potential of the combined squad. This debut campaign included a memorable appearance, where the team led 2-0 at halftime before ultimately losing 2-4 in front of a packed Hermann-Löns-Stadion, highlighting the merger's immediate impact on visibility and competitiveness. The fusion addressed longstanding rivalries between the Paderborn and Neuhaus communities, fostering a broader regional identity while preserving elements of both clubs' histories, such as the "07" nod to Neuhaus's founding year. Over the following years, the club solidified its structure, eventually rebranding to SC Paderborn 07 in 1997 to emphasize its base and historical ties to 1907 football origins in the area. This marked a maturation phase, aligning with efforts to professionalize operations and invest in youth development, setting the stage for future promotions. The merger's legacy lies in creating a sustainable platform that propelled the club from amateur ranks toward national prominence, avoiding the fragmentation that had previously limited local teams.

Beginnings in amateur football (1985–2005)

SC Paderborn 07 was formed on June 1, 1985, through the merger of the local rivals SV 07/10 Schloß Neuhaus, founded in 1907, and FC Paderborn, established in 1920, creating TuS Paderborn/Neuhaus. The new entity began competing in the third-tier , where it quickly established itself as a competitive side, finishing as runners-up in its debut 1985–86 season with 16 wins, 11 draws, and 5 losses. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, the club maintained strong performances in the league, including another second-place finish in 1989–90, though it fell short of during this period. In 1997, the club rebranded to its current name, SC Paderborn 07, honoring the founding year of its Neuhaus predecessor. The breakthrough came in the 1993–94 season, when SC Paderborn dominated the , securing the title with 24 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, earning promotion to the Regionalliga West for the first time. In the higher division during 1994–95, the team adapted well, finishing ninth with a balanced record of 12 wins, 11 draws, and 11 losses. Subsequent seasons showed steady improvement, highlighted by a fifth-place finish in 1995–96, but the club struggled to challenge for promotion, ending mid-table in most years, including tenth in 1999–2000, which led to relegation back to the . Following the drop, SC Paderborn responded decisively in 2000–01 by winning the Oberliga Westfalen title and regaining Regionalliga status. Promoted to the newly structured for the 2001–02 season, the club faced a tough adjustment, narrowly avoiding further with a 14th-place finish. Over the next few seasons, consistent progress under improved management and squad development positioned the team for success, culminating in a second-place finish in 2004–05 with 20 wins, 10 draws, and 6 losses, securing promotion to the through the playoffs. During this amateur era, the club also made occasional impacts in the , notably reaching the round of 16 in 2004–05 after upsets against and .

Consolidation in the 2. Bundesliga (2005–15)

SC Paderborn 07 earned promotion to the at the conclusion of the 2004–05 season, finishing second and returning to Germany's second tier for the first time since 1977. Under coach Jos Luhukay, the team adapted to professional football in their debut 2005–06 campaign, securing a respectable ninth-place finish with 46 points from 13 wins, 7 draws, and 14 losses, while scoring 46 goals and conceding 40. This mid-table position marked the beginning of a period of consolidation, as the club invested in infrastructure and youth development to establish itself among established second-division sides. The following seasons brought challenges, with Paderborn finishing 11th in 2006–07 under continued guidance from Luhukay and interim coaches. However, defensive vulnerabilities led to a precarious 17th place in 2007–08 under Holger Fach, resulting in relegation to the with just 31 points. Pavel Dotchev took over and orchestrated a swift return, guiding the team to third place in the inaugural 2008–09 season with 68 points, including 20 wins and a of +30. Reinstated in the for 2009–10, André Schubert's tenure saw further stabilization, culminating in a strong fifth-place finish that year with 51 points. From 2010 to 2013, maintained consistent mid-table performances despite frequent coaching changes, including stints by Roger Schmidt, Stephan Schmidt, and René Müller. The 2011–12 season under Schmidt highlighted offensive prowess, with 17 wins yielding 61 points and fifth place again. These years emphasized squad building, with the club avoiding relegation battles and occasionally challenging for promotion spots, though finishing 12th in both 2010–11 and 2012–13. André Breitenreiter's appointment in 2013 proved transformative; his tactical discipline led to a runner-up finish in 2013–14, amassing 62 points from 18 wins and promoting to the for the first time in club history. This achievement capped a decade of growth, transforming the East Westphalian side from newcomers to promotion contenders.
SeasonLeaguePositionPointsWinsDrawsLossesGoals (For:Against)
2005–069th461371446:40
2006–0711th421191432:41
2007–0817th316131533:54
2008–093rd682081068:38
2009–105th511491149:49
2010–1112th391091532:47
2011–125th611710751:42
2012–1312th421191445:45
2013–142nd62188863:48

Bundesliga and years of turbulence (2015–present)

SC Paderborn 07 achieved for the first time in the 2014/15 season under coach , topping the table after four matchdays before finishing second overall to secure the spot. In their debut top-flight campaign, the team struggled, ending 18th and facing immediate relegation with just five wins from 34 matches. A highlight was midfielder Moritz Stoppelkamp's record-breaking 82.3-meter goal against on September 20, 2014, the longest in history. The following 2015/16 season in the proved disastrous, with finishing bottom and suffering back-to-back relegations to the under a series of coaches including Markus Gellhaus, , and René Müller. In 2016/17, the club narrowly avoided further demotion to the , placing 18th in the but benefiting from 1860 Munich's licensing failure to retain their status, amid interim management by Müller, Florian Fulland, and Stefan Emmerling. The arrival of as coach in April 2017 marked a turnaround, leading to second place in the 2017/18 for promotion to the . Baumgart's tenure continued with another runners-up finish in the 2018/19 , earning a second ascent to the in three years—one of only eight clubs to achieve this feat. However, the 2019/20 season ended in relegation once more, with the team again finishing 18th under Baumgart, who departed in 2021. Since returning to the in 2020/21, Paderborn has experienced relative stability under until 2021 (ninth in 2020/21), followed by from July 2021, who guided the team to mid-table finishes: seventh in 2021/22 and 2023/24, and sixth in 2022/23. The club placed fourth in 2024/25, their highest since relegation. In July 2025, Ralf Kettemann succeeded Kwasniok, leading Paderborn to first place in the ongoing 2025/26 season as of November 2025.

Recent seasons

The following table summarizes SC Paderborn 07's performance in the league for recent seasons:
SeasonLeaguePositionNotes
2020/219th
2021/227th
2022/236th
2023/247th
2024/254th
2025/261stOngoing as of November 2025; 29 points from 12 matches

Players

Current squad

As of November 2025, SC Paderborn 07's first-team squad for the 2025–26 season comprises 30 players, blending experienced professionals with young talents developed through the club's academy. The team emphasizes a balanced defensive line and versatile midfield, with key contributors including centre-backs like Calvin Brackelmann and attacking options such as Steffen Tigges. Below is the detailed squad list, organized by position.

Goalkeepers

No.PlayerAgeNationalityContract Expires
41Dennis Seimen19 / Jun 30, 2026
1Markus Schubert27-
31Florian Pruhs19Jun 30, 2026

Defenders

No.PlayerAgeNationalityContract Expires
2027-
4Calvin Brackelmann26Jun 30, 2026
22Mattes Hansen21-
25Tjark Scheller23-
33Marcel Hoffmeier26Jun 30, 2028
8David Kinsombi29 / DR CongoJun 30, 2026
32Kerem Yalcin20 / TürkiyeJun 30, 2027
42Kevin Krumme21Jun 30, 2028

Midfielders

No.PlayerAgeNationalityContract Expires
5Santiago Castañeda21 / Jun 30, 2027
6Luis Engelns18Jun 30, 2027
14Mika Baur21-
26Sebastian Klaas27-
17Laurin Curda24-
2Ruben Müller20 / -
23Raphael 29 / Jun 30, 2026
3Jonah 21-
21Anton Bäuerle20Jun 30, 2027
24Niklas Mohr21Jun 30, 2028

Forwards

No.PlayerAgeNationalityContract Expires
9Nick Bätzner25Jun 30, 2027
11Sven Michel35-
7Filip Bilbija25-
2821Germany / Spain-
38Bennit Bröger19Jun 30, 2028
18Marco Wörner21-
49Joel Vega Zambrano21Germany / Spain-
27Steffen Tigges27Jun 30, 2027
30Stefano Marino21Germany / ItalyJun 30, 2027

Out on loan

As of November 2025, SC Paderborn 07 has a limited number of first-team and players loaned out to other clubs, primarily for development purposes in lower divisions. These arrangements allow young talents to gain competitive experience while remaining under contract with the parent club.
No.Pos.PlayerLoaned toLoan end
—DFTristan Zobel (22) ()30 June 2026
—FWJohn Posselt (21)TSV Havelse ()30 June 2026
These reflect the club's of nurturing prospects through regular playing time at semi-professional levels, with both players having previously featured for SC 's reserve side. No senior first-team regulars are currently on .

SC Paderborn II

SC Paderborn 07 II, commonly referred to as the club's reserve or U21 , serves as the primary squad for young players aspiring to break into the first . Established in 1985 alongside the formation of the senior club through the merger of FC Paderborn and TuS Schloß Neuhaus, the reserve side has primarily competed in regional leagues within the German football pyramid, focusing on nurturing talent from the club's academy. The plays its home matches at the in , sharing the venue with the first , and is integral to SC Paderborn's , often providing a bridge between junior ranks and professional football. Historically, SC Paderborn 07 II has experienced a trajectory typical of reserve teams in lower divisions, with frequent movements between the fifth and sixth tiers before achieving stability in higher regional competition. The side spent much of the early in the Westfalenliga 1 (sixth tier), securing promotion to the (fifth tier) as champions in the 2014/15 season. It then finished 16th in the Oberliga in 2015/16 and continued competing at that level in subsequent seasons. A significant milestone came in the early 2020s, when the team won the Oberliga Westfalen title in 2021/22 and earned promotion through a third-place finish in 2022/23, marking its entry into the Regionalliga West (fourth tier). This ascent represented the highest level reached by the reserves, reflecting improved youth development under the club's academy system. Since joining the Regionalliga West in the 2023/24 season, SC Paderborn 07 II has maintained mid-table positions, finishing 14th in its debut campaign, ninth in 2024/25, and currently 10th as of November 2025 in the ongoing 2025/26 season with 21 points from 16 matches. Under head coach Thomas Bertels, the squad emphasizes competitive experience for players aged primarily under 21, with an average age of 20.5 and a roster of 26 members drawn from the club's youth setup and occasional loans. While the team has not produced widespread first-team breakthroughs in recent years, its role in talent cultivation remains central, aligning with SC Paderborn's broader commitment to regional youth football.

Coaches

The following is a list of the managers of SC Paderborn 07, including their tenures, nationalities, and birthdates.
PeriodNameNationalityBirthday
07/2025 – 06/2026Ralf KettemannGermany20 August 1986
07/2021 – 06/2025Łukasz KwasniokGermany12 June 1981
04/2017 – 06/2021Steffen BaumgartGermany5 January 1972
12/2016 – 04/2017Stefan EmmerlingGermany10 February 1966
11/2016 – 12/2016Florian FullandGermany15 September 1984
03/2016 – 11/2016René MüllerGermany19 May 1974
10/2015 – 03/2016Stefan EffenbergGermany2 August 1968
10/2015 – 10/2015René MüllerGermany19 May 1974
06/2015 – 10/2015Markus GellhausGermany9 June 1970
07/2013 – 06/2015André BreitenreiterGermany2 October 1973
05/2013 – 06/2013René MüllerGermany19 May 1974
07/2012 – 05/2013Stephan SchmidtGermany19 August 1976
07/2011 – 06/2012Roger SchmidtGermany13 March 1967
05/2009 – 06/2011André SchubertGermany24 July 1971
02/2008 – 05/2009Pavel DotchevBulgaria28 September 1965
01/2007 – 02/2008Holger FachGermany6 September 1962
09/2006 – 12/2006Roland SeitzGermany1 October 1964
08/2006 – 09/2006Markus GellhausGermany9 June 1970
07/2005 – 08/2006Jos LuhukayNetherlands13 June 1963
02/2003 – 06/2005Pavel DotchevBulgaria28 September 1965
12/2001 – 02/2003Uwe ErkenbrecherGermany14 November 1954
07/2001 – 12/2001Markus GellhausGermany9 June 1970
12/1999 – 06/2001Günther RybarczykGermany4 November 1951
10/1999 – 12/1999Marco KostmannGermany12 April 1966
07/1999 – 10/1999Fritz GröscheGermany3 October 1941 †
07/1993 – 06/1999Günther RybarczykGermany4 November 1951
07/1989 – 06/1991Wolfgang SchlichthaberGermany24 February 1943
07/1987 – 06/1988Lothar SenkGermany
07/1986 – 06/1987Horst WohlersGermany6 August 1949
07/1984 – 06/1986Jan LiberdaPoland26 November 1936 †
01/1983 – 10/1983Norbert WagnerGermany15 January 1939
12/1982 – 01/1983Jan LiberdaPoland26 November 1936 †
07/1982 – 12/1982Fritz GröscheGermany3 October 1941 †
07/1980 – 02/1981Klaus HilpertGermany3 January 1944 †
07/1977 – 06/1978Jan LiberdaPoland26 November 1936 †

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