The handball Bundesliga team TVB Stuttgart has found what they are looking for in their search for a new coach. Misha Kaufmann comes from ThSV Eisenach and will take over for three years starting next season. The club is also ensuring clarity in the playmaker position.
The 40-year-old Swiss is currently in eighth place in the Bundesliga table with his Stuttgart league rivals from Eisenach and had recently asked his club to terminate his contract, which runs until 2027, at the end of the season. Danijel Grgic takes over the position of assistant coach and signs for two years.
“I had very good conversations with Jürgen Schweikardt and Jens Bürkle and quickly realized that the people in Stuttgart and Bittenfeld were passionate about the same thing as me,” Misha Kaufmann is quoted as saying. “I believe 100% in the perspective that you have in the club and what you want to work towards. That’s why I’m really looking forward to being part of the TVB from the summer. Until then, however, I will give everything to achieve our goals with ThSV Eisenach to reach.”
Schweikardt: Kaufmann is the best solution for the TVB
At TVB, the former backcourt player Kaufmann follows Jürgen Schweikardt, who has been since the separation from his brother Michael As managing director, he also held the coaching position on an interim basis. The TVB is in 15th place in the Bundesliga and has gained a five-point cushion over the relegation places with four wins from five games.
“We have had turbulent months behind us,” said Jürgen Schweikardt, who still wanted to work out a solution with his team without coming under pressure. With Kaufmann, the club is getting a coach “who shares our goals,” said Schweikardt.
“We want to be in the top 10,” the managing director made clear. Kaufmann is a logical solution because “ambitious goals require ambitious people”. The TVB also appreciates Kaufmann’s “creative style of play”.
Max Häfner extends his contract with TVB
The TVB has also created clarity in the playmaker position: Max Häfner has extended his expiring contract by one year and will therefore remain with Stuttgart until at least 2026.
Häfner has been under contract with TVB since 2017 and was most recently out for ten months with a torn cruciate ligament. “I found his comeback in the Christmas games all the more impressive,” said Schweikardt.
Will Mengon also come to TVB Stuttgart?
The 44-year-old said that so far the search for a new coach has been a priority and there may be news in the coming days and weeks regarding player personnel for the coming season.
There was recently speculation that Simone Mengon from ThSV Eisenach could join his current coach and move to TVB. Mengon has proven his skills in recent years and is therefore in demand. Schweikardt did not want to comment further on the personnel.
Broadcast on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:40 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
