AUDIO: Holstein Kiel releases Rapp (1 min)
2nd Bundesliga
As of: February 24, 2026 11:31 a.m
Holstein Kiel has reacted to the ongoing sporting decline and placed coach Marcel Rapp on leave. The second division soccer team announced this on Tuesday. The 46-year-old had been in office since October 2021 and sensationally led Schleswig-Holstein into the Bundesliga in 2024.
But after the direct relegation last summer and the poor points tally so far this season, the Pforzheim native’s trust was used up. With four defeats in a row and only six wins and six draws from 24 games, those responsible in Kiel were forced to act.
“I look back on my time at Holstein Kiel with great gratitude. Holstein Kiel will always remain a special club for me.”
Marcel Rapp
The decision was made “jointly and amicably” “in order to give new impetus to the coaching position,” said the club statement. Rapp’s assistant coach Alexander Hahn also has to leave the “Storks”.
Bremser takes over on an interim basis
Assistant coach Dirk Bremser is currently looking after the relegation-threatened Schleswig-Holsteiners and is preparing the team for the home game on Saturday (1 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter) against third-placed SV Elversberg, but a successor should be presented soon.
Rebbe: “This step is very difficult for us”
“After a thorough analysis of the sporting development and intensive discussions with my colleagues on the executive board and the supervisory board, we came to the conclusion that a change was needed,” said managing director Olaf Rebbe, explaining the decision. “Marcel and his team have written KSV history over the past four and a half years. His work, his commitment and his interaction with people was extraordinary and will always be remembered – that’s exactly why this step is very difficult for us.”
Rapp looks back “with great gratitude”
“I look back on my time at Holstein Kiel with great gratitude and equally great conviction. Over the past few years, we have developed a clear sporting identity together, built up structures and made club history with promotion to the Bundesliga,” said Rapp, who would have liked to have continued.
“After the upheaval in the summer, we found ourselves in a demanding but, in my opinion, very well-planned development process. I am convinced that we would have successfully mastered the sporting challenges together and made the season stable. I respect the club’s decision and am continuing on my path with full energy,” explained the 46-year-old. “Holstein Kiel will always remain a special club for me and I wish the team much success for the rest of the season and beyond.”
160 games as KSV coach
Rapp, who succeeded Ole Werner on October 4, 2021, was on the sidelines for the 160th time in a competitive game as KSV coach on Saturday in the 1:3 in Karlsruhe. However, the “Third League” scenario has now become threateningly close; the second relegation in a row would be a serious setback for the club. Now a new coach should provide a breath of fresh air and ideas in the fight to stay in the league.
Personnel planning doesn’t work
However, the conditions for success on the fjord this season are extremely difficult. After the first division farewell, the club gave up various top performers such as Nicolai Remberg (HSV), Shuto Machino (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Armin Gigovic (Young Boys Bern). In return, sports director Olaf Rebbe primarily brought young players to the fjord.
Rapp should develop it further – just as he had always managed to do in previous years with hitherto relatively unknown actors. But this season the plan didn’t work. At the end of the season, the squad planners around Rebbe will have to answer the question of whether their personnel planning was appropriate, even if they stay in the league.
