Hannover were relegated from the Bundesliga. They had been in the Bundesliga for 14 seasons. This was the fifth time they were relegated from the Bundesliga. Hannover 96 are looking for a new coach. During the 2015–16 season, Michael Frontzeck resigned and Thomas Schaaf was sacked.Daniel Stendel took over for the rest of 2015–16 season as interim head coach and was eventually given the permanent job.

Florian Hübner and Sebastian Maier joined Hannover. Marcelo transferred to Beşiktaş after playing there on loan for the previous half year.Ron-Robert Zieler left the club.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Hannover started the season on 5 August 2016 against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Hannover won the match 4–0. Hannover then defeated Greuther Fürth 3–1. The first season loss came on the 4th matchday in a home match against Dynamo Dresden, which they lost 0–2. They recovered with three wins from the next four matches, only to lose two matches in a row against Union Berlin and 1. FC Nürnberg, respectively. From there on until the winter break they remained unbeaten, with four wins and three draws, causing them to spend the break in second place. They started the second half of the season with a 1–0 home win against Kaiserslautern, thereby moving up to first place for the first time since the second matchday.

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