HSV: Doubts about Polzin are growing – coaching candidates are becoming fewer and fewer

The alternating effect evaporates

The effect of the change of coach at Hamburger SV has evaporated. The pressure on the sporting leadership of the second division team to find the right coach for the hoped-for promotion is greater than ever after the weak performance in the 2:2 (1:0) at Hansa Rostock. In the first game after Tim Walter was eliminated, interim coach Merlin Polzin also offered few arguments as to how the shaky traditional club should make it back to the Bundesliga after six years.

“Unfortunately, it’s not progress,” said attacker Robert Glatzel. According to the constitution, HSV will also have to plan the seventh season in the 2nd league. Sports director Jonas Boldt in particular is asked about the sometimes disappointing performance of the relegation candidate. Boldt chose the 33-year-old, inexperienced Polzin as Walter’s successor – with the prospect of longer employment. But the team’s error-prone and insecure demeanor, especially in the second round in Rostock, was reminiscent of many performances under predecessor Walter. The separation from the coach was announced on Monday after more than two and a half years.

Hamburger SV: The list of coaching candidates is getting shorter and shorter

After the appearance in Rostock, doubts grow as to whether new coach Polzin can lead the traditional club to promotion. “It’s all about HSV, it’s not about me personally,” said the 33-year-old. He didn’t have time during the week to think about his future. “After a change of coach, you immediately hope for a positive experience. It’s bitter that it didn’t happen,” said Glatzel, who saved the draw late on (86th minute). Jean-Luc Dompé (34th) made it 1-0.

The list of coaching candidates that have been publicly traded has recently become somewhat shorter. Friedhelm Funkel is now in Kaiserslautern, André Breitenreiter is at English second division club Huddersfield. It stands to reason that Boldt will intensify his search for a new coach after the appearance in Rostock. Most recently, the former Cologne resident Steffen Baumgart, an avowed HSV fan, was considered a candidate. HSV shareholder Klaus-Michael Kühne spoke out in favor of club idol Felix Magath. Magath, who was HSV coach between 1995 and 1997, saved Hertha BSC from relegation to the Bundesliga in 2022. But could he also rise? HSV is in danger of losing contact with league leaders FC St. Pauli and second place Holstein Kiel (to the table). Holstein Kiel is four points ahead of HSV after its 4-0 win in Paderborn. The Hamburgers are in the promotion relegation ranking.

HSV fans long for stability. The performance in Rostock was okay, at least in the first half. “As far as defensive stability is concerned, we allowed little to nothing,” said Polzin. The interim coach ordered defensive midfielder Jonas Meffert into central defense when Rostock had the ball. But that only had the desired effect in the first half. Polzin admitted that his team had not managed to “maintain this stability.” The northern club’s next opponent next Sunday is newly promoted SV Elversberg, who have repeatedly caused surprises. It is questionable whether Polzin will then get another chance.

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