The 2002-03 campaign saw Die Löwen secure a mid-table finish, ending their Bundesliga season in a respectable 10th place. Spearheading the attack was Markus Schroth, who enjoyed his career-best season with 14 goals, notably scoring a hat-trick against Hansa Rostock. Under the joint guidance of Peter Pacult and Falko Götz, and featuring veteran Thomas Häßler alongside the emerging talent of Benjamin Lauth, the team delivered moments of pride in what would unfortunately be the penultimate season of their decade-long spell in the German top flight.