In the 1996–97 season, Werder Bremen struggled in the Bundesliga, finishing 12th, far below expectations for a club that had been competing near the top earlier in the decade. Under coach Hans-Jürgen Dörner, poor results led to instability, and the team often relied on Marco Bode and Wynton Rufer for goals. In the DFB-Pokal, Bremen were knocked out in the round of 16, failing to mount a serious challenge. Their European campaign in the UEFA Cup also ended early. Overall, the season was marked by inconsistency and defensive frailty, prompting questions about squad renewal and managerial direction.
