From ex-sports director
HSV comments on the Kuntz case: “Allegations credible”
Updated on January 12, 2026 – 10:16 amReading time: 3 minutes
Stefan Kuntz’s farewell to HSV was surprising. There are now serious allegations against him. The 63-year-old defends himself, the club reacts.
Hamburger SV has made an official statement in the Stefan Kuntz case. In this, the Bundesliga club’s supervisory board contradicts the previous sports director’s statement and explains: “In December 2025, allegations of serious misconduct by Stefan Kuntz were brought to the supervisory board of HSV Fußball Management AG.” The supervisory board has “initiated the investigation into the incidents”.
And further: “After careful examination and the realization that the allegations are credible, the supervisory board immediately decided to strive for a separation from the board member as quickly as possible. Due to the explicit request of the people concerned, the protection of those affected was the top priority in the separation, which continues to be the case.”
On Sunday, the “Bild” newspaper reported that allegations of sexual harassment were behind Kuntz’s departure from HSV. Hamburger SV initially did not want to comment further on the report, but simply said in a statement: “The supervisory board can very well understand the interest in the early exit of Stefan Kuntz as sports director. However, we would like to limit ourselves to the statement that Stefan Kuntz has asked the supervisory board to leave on December 31, 2025 for personal family reasons. These are exclusively internal processes that we do not want to discuss publicly for reasons of protecting personal rights.”
Now the HSV is moving away from its previous line of communication regarding the separation and further announced: Kuntz had agreed to the separation in knowledge of the allegations made against him, but refused to cooperate in clarifying the matter: “Mr. Kuntz explicitly did not take advantage of the opportunity to comment to the supervisory board despite multiple offers. Against the background presented, the allegations of a ‘slander campaign’ against Stefan Kuntz are clearly inaccurate and misleading.”
The HSV may be referring to a statement by Kuntz on Sunday. The former national player had rejected all allegations on social media and said in a statement: “I receive numerous inquiries about the current reporting about me. First of all, I would like to say that the allegations hit me hard. One thing is clear: I firmly reject these allegations!”