The air will burn. Next weekend, HSV meets St. Pauli in the city derby. With a win, the red trousers would come a big step closer to the first division. In the event of a defeat, the venture could get a damper rise. But what happens if HSV actually has to go into a sixth year in the second division?
Coach Tim Walter didn’t want to know anything about it before the derby: “If we had been in the position we are now last season, we would all have been very happy about it. We won all the last five games. Why shouldn’t that be then be like that again?”
In the background, however, sports director Jonas Boldt has already drawn up two plans that will be presented to the supervisory board shortly. One for the Bundesliga and one for the lower house.
HSV stars before departure?
According to “Bild”, the Hamburgers would not have any financial problems. Although the share of TV money would continue to fall, but not so much that the club would be in trouble. Intensive talks are also to be held with investor Klaus-Michael Kühne to clarify how he can continue to support the association. Regardless of league affiliation.
A non-promotion would hit squad planning much harder. In the case of top scorer Robert Glatzel and midfield string puller Ludovit Reis, clauses that allow departures would probably apply. Glatzel could probably change for 1.5 million euros, Reis for around five million euros. For the Dutchman, there should already be inquiries from the Bundesliga and other European leagues.
It would also be unclear whether coach Tim Walter would be allowed to make a third attempt towards promotion. Boldt would probably not be averse to that, but his role would also be put to the test beforehand. The supervisory board would then have to decide whether to continue with Boldt. Should Boldt have to go, the club would probably find themselves in front of a complete restart.
If HSV has its way, none of these questions need to be asked. Against St. Pauli, Walter relies above all on the enormous support of the supporters: “I think it’s great what has been created here. The enthusiasm wasn’t always like that. It’s nice to see that the people love the club and also live it.”