HSV coach search: Paderborn’s Kwasniok in focus, Baumgart still an issue

Polzin back in second place?

After the disappointing 2-2 draw at Hansa Rostock, Hamburger SV has apparently come to the realization that they need an experienced head coach in order not to let their promotion dreams collapse early. The previous assistant and interim solution Merlin Polzin was only able to get his impulses through for half a half before the ambitious second division team fell into familiar patterns and radiated great uncertainty. Another, previously unnamed, external candidate has now emerged for the coaching position.

As the “Hamburger Morgenpost” first reported and Transfermarkt can confirm, Lukas Kwasniok from league rivals SC Paderborn plays a role in the HSV officials’ considerations for sports director Jonas Boldt, who himself has come under criticism. The 42-year-old Kwasniok was already a topic on the Elbe in the summer, when it was not yet entirely clear that a third attempt would be made with Tim Walter. “This option is likely to be examined intensively at the start of the week, but it is not the only one,” wrote Mopo. It remains to be seen to what extent it would be realistic to let go of Kwasniok (contract until 2025) in the middle of the season.

Steffen Baumgart, who most recently worked at 1. FC Cologne, is also still part of the extended circle of candidates at HSV. However, no contact is said to have been made with the 52-year-old or with ex-Augsburg coach Enrico Maaßen. According to “Bild”, however, Boldt is in contact with Baumgart’s advisor Frank Lieberam, although there is no talk of an imminent agreement.

There is currently little to no truth in the rumors about the 39-year-old Maaßen’s involvement. The veteran Felix Magath, who has often been traded in the past, is most likely once again not an option for the current decision-makers – even though shareholder and investor Klaus Michael-Kühne had repeatedly brought the name of the club icon into play.

According to reports, HSV is also looking for a possible new trainer in Denmark, and the third-place team is rumored to be exploring the market in the neighboring country. Interim coach Polzin said after the 2-2 draw in Rostock: “It’s all about HSV, it’s not about me personally.” Boldt had assured him that the 33-year-old would continue to play a role in Hamburg in the future. In all likelihood, Polzin will have to move back into the second tier.

Promotion race: HSV has its back to the wall in the 2nd league

HSV has lost touch with league leaders FC St. Pauli by seven points and is already four points behind second place Holstein Kiel (to the table). For the shaky traditional club from Hamburg, it would currently be enough for the unpopular promotion relegation. In its second division history, HSV has never been in such a bad position after 22 match days as it is at the moment. On paper it is advantageous for a new man on the sidelines: there are two home games in a row against Elversberg and Osnabrück.

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