Coach fired
Former star is supposed to save HSV women from relegation to the Bundesliga
April 13, 2026 – 3:53 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Hamburger SV is parting ways with women’s coach Liése Brancão and is relying on an old acquaintance in times of relegation. What connects the new coach with the club is remarkable.
Rodolfo Cardoso returns to Hamburger SV – this time as coach of the women’s Bundesliga team. The 57-year-old Argentine will take over for the last four games of the season and is expected to keep the team – currently twelfth in the table, three points ahead of a relegation zone – in the league.
Cardoso has previously worked as an individual coach for the HSV U19. He succeeds Liése Brancão. The Brazilian took over as coach of the Hamburg team after they were promoted to the Bundesliga and was fired on Monday.
Cardoso was euphoric about his new task: “I’m really looking forward to the task and to supporting the team in this crucial phase of the season. I am convinced that we will quickly make a difference and get the points we need to stay in the league.”
HSV board member Eric Huwer justified the change of coach as follows: “After a detailed analysis of the sporting development and intensive discussions with everyone involved, we have come to the conclusion that a change of coach is necessary at this time.” Cardoso should give the team “a new impulse, fresh energy and the necessary looseness in the final sprint”.
Cardoso has a long history with HSV. Between 1996 and 2004 he played 137 competitive games for the professional team. He also played for Hamburg in the Champions League. After his career ended, he took on various roles in the club’s youth team. He had previously played in the Bundesliga for SC Freiburg and Werder Bremen.
