The fairytale rise of 5 lesser-known clubs in Europe

A.F.C. Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League
A.F.C. Bournemouth's first team celebrate

#3 FC Ingolstadt

FC Porto v RB Leipzig - UEFA Champions League
Former Ingolstadt manager Ralph Hasenhuttl

Ingolstadt were founded in their current incarnation in only 2005. The club or at least a club had existed from the area from 1963. Founded as ESV Ingolstadt, the club failed to reach the Bundesliga.

The other club from Ingolstadt -- MTV Ingolstadt -- never truly awoke the passion of the supporters and existed until 2004. The club's success was limited and they never truly got going. Finally, FC Ingolstadt was founded in 2004 when the clubs merged into FC Ingolstadt 04.

The club from Bavaria finished fourth in the Oberliga Bavaria or the Regional Championship in its first season. The side rose through the leagues in style managing to sign some exciting youngsters and managers including Ralph Hassenhutl.

In 2014-15, just ten seasons after they were founded, FC Ingolstadt 04 won the Zweite Liga, the German second tier, and gained promotion to the Bundesliga. Though they lasted only two seasons at the top of the pyramid, it is an incredible achievement for a side in just ten years.

Quick Links

Edited by Amit Mishra
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications