Re-Shape at HSV undergoes again: Changes in the Hamburg soccer club
Loosening the Reins at Hamburger SV: Steffen Baumgart Steps Down, fresh speculations abound
After a dismal nine months, HSV, the German Second Division powerhouse, has bid adieu to their current manager Steffen Baumgart. Baumgart, a native of Rostock, took charge of the club since February 2024. Sources indicate that a handful of players are also set to exit the squad during the winter transfer window. The winds of change have already begun to rustle, with whispers of potential replacements cropping up.
A Turbulent Tenure Unravels
Following the 2:2 draw against FC Schalke 04, the HSV officially severed ties with Baumgart. His assistants, Rene Wagner and Kevin McKenna, will also say their goodbyes.
HSV Sport Vorstand Stefan Kuntz commented, "Steffen gave his all with immense passion, energy, and determination until the very last moment. Our analysis of the current situation and the previous game has shown that we believe a fresh impulse is necessary for the path out of the performance and results crisis." The HSV has suffered four consecutive League losses since its last victory.
Baumgart himself reportedly reacted to the news calmly. He described his time with the club as "exciting and intense" and voiced his connection to the club, adding, "I wish the club to reach its goals."
First Rumblings of Change
Initially, speculation swirled that Stefan Kuntz might step into the managerial role, but Kuntz, the 62-year-old Sport Vorstand since May of this year, dismissed such claims in a statement, stating emphatically, "I will never become the manager."
Kuntz is renowned for leading the German U-21 national team to two European Championship titles in his time as coach. Potential replacements for Baumgart may include Lukas Kwasniok from SC Paderborn, the former HSV coach Bruno Labbadia, and ex- Manchester United interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. Initial arrangements have reportedly placed HSV Assistant Coach Merlin Polzin in temporary charge, with Loïc Favé, head coach of the HSV's second squad in the Regionalliga, assisting him.[3]
Off Squad Departures Imminent
Reports suggest that several players will hang up their cleats at the HSV during the winter break. One such likely departure is Levin Öztunali, the offense-minded player and grandson of HSV legend Uwe Seeler. Additional candidates for exit have been rumored to include the Finn, Anssi Suhonen, and the Frenchman William Mikelbrencis.[4]
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Lara Kitzinger, born 1999, dreams of someday living in New York but only briefly, as she longs for Sankt Peter-Ording, where she plans to establish a local newspaper. She honed her skills reporting for the "Pinneberger Tageblatt" and, despite being denied a single piece of cake during a cafe review, remains undeterred, baking her own confections to complement her articles. She has a degree in Communication and Media Management from the Fernuni IST and moonlights as a writer for Netzwelt.de, penning articles on films, series, and other media. At home in Buchholz, she shares her life with a Holsteiner mare, dreaming of riding her along the Sankt Peter-Ording beach to reach her workplace.[2]
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Footnotes:
[1] "Merlin Polzin Is Currently the Head Coach of Hamburger SV" - [source omitted]
[2] "Possible Candidates for HSV Manager Position" - [source omitted]
[3] "HSV Interim Coaching Lineup and Prospects" - [source omitted]
[4] "Players Expected to Depart HSV" - [source omitted]
Given the current managerial change at HSV, speculation has arisen about potential replacements.
Amidst the rumors, the names of Lukas Kwasniok, Bruno Labbadia, and former Manchester United interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy have been mentioned as possible candidates for the managerial role at HSV.
