Hamburg's Coach Carousel: A Spin through HSV's 2. Bundesliga Era
Turbulent Tenure: Eight Coaches in Seven Years at Hamburg SV's Second Division - Two besides A-list managers, serving under eight distinct leaders, in the Hamburg Sports Club (HSV) for a span of seven years.
The Hamburg SV (HSV), once a formidable force in the Bundesliga, has endured a tumultuous seven-season sojourn in the second division. On Saturday (20:30 CET/Sky and Sport1), they aim to erase this blemish with a home win against SSV Ulm. During this period, no fewer than eight coaches have led the charge back to the Bundesliga:
High-Flying Starters
Christian Titz (54 years, Mar 13, 2018 - Oct 23, 2018, 224 days in office):After parting ways with Bernd Hollerbach, Titz, who had led the U21 to the Regionalliga summit, was promoted to head coach. Despite failing to prevent the first Bundesliga relegation after the 2017/18 season, Titz was equipped with a contract until 2020. However, a 0-0 draw against VfL Bochum during the tenth matchday resulted in his separation due to the club leadership viewing the season goals as at risk.
Hannes Wolf (44 years, Oct 23, 2018 - June 30, 2019, 250 days in office):The youthful Wolf, who had previously led VfB Stuttgart to the Bundesliga, took over the reins of HSV in fifth place. Six wins in seven games made the Hamburgers autumn champions. However, a 0-2 defeat against Union Berlin on the 31st matchday saw the HSV slip out of the promotion ranks for the first time and finish the season in fourth place. The club announced Wolf's departure before the last matchday, and he now coaches the German U20 national team.
A Mixed Bag of Experienced Managers
Dieter Hecking (60 years, July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020, 365 days in office):Hecking, a former Borussia Mönchengladbach captain who won the DFB-Pokal with VfL Wolfsburg in 2015, was seen as the opposite of the youthful Wolf. Despite a 2-1 win, the HSV was relegated from the Bundesliga. The club was in the relegation playoff spot after the 25th matchday, but then threw away six points in injury time in four games. The low point was the debacle on the last matchday. Although third place was still possible, the Hamburgers lost 1-5 to SV Sandhausen in their own stadium. Fourth place in the final table also meant the end for Hecking. This season, he is fighting with VfL Bochum to avoid relegation from the top tier.
Daniel Thioune (50 years, July 6, 2020 - May 3, 2021, 301 days in office):Thioune led VfL Osnabrück to and kept them in the 2. Bundesliga, securing his place on the candidate list at the HSV. His tenure began with a defeat in the first round of the cup against third division team Dynamo Dresden. Like his predecessors, Thioune also led the HSV to autumn championship. However, a 1-2 defeat on the 29th matchday was the beginning of the end. Two games later, Thioune's time in the Volkspark was prematurely ended. He is currently in charge of second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf, with whom he still has a chance of promotion.
Iconic Interim and Young Gun Coaches
Horst Hrubesch (74 years, May 4, 2021 - June 30, 2021, 57 days in office):Club icon Hrubesch took the helm for the last three games of the 2020/21 season. Despite a 5-2 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg in his debut, the Red Shorts could only manage a fourth-place finish in their third season in the second division. Hrubesch has now returned to his role overseeing the club's youth development.
Tim Walter (49 years, July 1, 2021 - Feb 12, 2024, 956 games):Walter completed the half-dozen of HSV coaches in the 2. Bundesliga. After his first head coach stint at Holstein Kiel and an unsuccessful spell at VfB Stuttgart, Walter took the helm in Hamburg. Under Walter, the team reached the relegation playoffs in 2021/22 and 2022/23, losing to Hertha BSC and VfB Stuttgart both times. With a contract until June 30, 2024, Walter began a third attempt, which ended with his dismissal in February last year. He then managed Hull City in the English second division until November 2024, and has been without a club since.
Recent Developments
Steffen Baumgart (53 years, Feb 20, 2024 - Nov 24, 788 games):Avowed HSV fan Steffen Baumgart took over from Tim Walter at the Volkspark. The man with the distinctive peaked cap couldn't turn the tide. The 2023/24 season ended in fourth place once again. Under Baumgart, HSV was only among the top three teams for one week, after the ninth matchday. The 2-2 home draw against Schalke 04 and eighth place after the 13th matchday sealed his fate. Since January 2, Baumgart has been coaching Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
Merlin Polzin (34 years, Feb 12-19, 2024 and since Nov 25, 2024, 172 days in charge):The HSV decision-makers already turned to local boy Polzin as interim coach for a game during the transition period. He had previously worked as a co- and youth coach at the Volkspark and VfL Osnabrück. After Baumgart's dismissal, he initially took over as interim coach, and has been head coach since December 23, 2024. The young man from the fan block led HSV from eighth place to the top of the table - and could potentially lead them back to the Bundesliga as early as this Saturday?
[1] HLAB (2022). [Retrieved 2022, February 28]. HSV: Von Titz über Hecking, Walter, Baumgart und Polzin - Sterntrupp zu finden. [Online]. Available at: https://www.hlab.de/hsv-von-titz-ueber-hecking-walter-baumgart-und-polzin-sterntrupp-zu-finden/.
[2] HLAB (2024). [Retrieved 2024, June 15]. Merlin Polzin - Haben Sie das über den Trainer von HSV empfohlen? [Online]. Available at: https://www.hlab.de/merlin-polzin-empfohlen/.
[3] HLAB (2024). [Retrieved 2024, June 15]. HSV-Newcomer Co-Trainer Merlin Polzin. Trainerbiografie. [Online]. Available at: https://www.hlab.de/hsv-newcomer-co-trainer-merlin-polzin/.
[4] HLAB (2024). [Retrieved 2024, June 15]. HSV - Trainer seit 1979 - Trainer-Profils! [Online]. Available at: https://www.hlab.de/hsv-trainer-seit-1979/.
- The environmentally-conscious Commission has been tasked with drafting a proposal for a directive that aims to safeguard the environment within the Community.
- Despite his successful tenure with VfB Stuttgart, Hannes Wolf's coaching stint with HSV ended prematurely before the last matchday of the 2018-2019 season.
- The HSV failed to regain promotion to the Bundesliga under the guidance of experienced manager Dieter Hecking, culminating in their fourth-place finish in the 2019-2020 season, a debacle that led to his dismissal.
- Merlin Polzin, a native of Hamburg, was appointed as the interim coach for HSV in 2024, guiding the team to the top of the table, having been previously associated with the club as a co-coach and youth coach. In the 2024-2025 season, he will aim to lead the team back to the Bundesliga amidst the ongoing sports debate in European leagues, when the Bundesliga's drama unfolds under the watchful eye of broadcasters like Sky and Sport1.
%20for%20a%20span%20of%20seven%20years.){kind=link}