Kuntz’s successor
Former DFB boss Bierhoff is apparently in conversation with HSV
Updated on January 6, 2026 – 2:17 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
HSV is looking for a successor to Stefan Kuntz at management level. A long-time DFB official could take over the post.
Will there be a spectacular personnel decision at Hamburger SV? After the unexpected departure of sports director Stefan Kuntz, a familiar face is apparently also becoming the focus of the newcomer in the search for a successor: Oliver Bierhoff.
As “Sport Bild” reports, the “Rothosen” supervisory board wants to discuss several profiles, constellations and names in the coming weeks. Bierhoff should also be discussed. The 57-year-old was already under discussion at HSV in 2024, back then as a successor to Jonas Boldt.
Bierhoff has a connection to the people of Hamburg. He played as a professional in the Hanseatic city from 1988 to 1990, scoring 6 goals in 34 Bundesliga games.
The former striker worked for the German national team from 2004 to 2022. Bierhoff was initially a team manager and later became one of four DFB directors. After the 2022 World Cup, his contract with the association was terminated prematurely. Since October 2023 he has been working as a consultant for the New England Patriots, a football team in the US NFL.
In addition to Bierhoff, Fabian Wolgemuth is also an option. The 46-year-old’s contract with VfB Stuttgart runs until 2027. According to the “Sport Bild” report, Jonas Boldt, who was sports director at HSV between 2019 and 2024, can also imagine returning to his old place of work.
Stefan Kuntz unexpectedly resigned as sports director in Hamburg at the beginning of the year – “for personal family reasons,” as the club statement said. “Sometimes there are more important things than football. That’s the case with me now. I don’t want to say anything more about it and ask that you respect that,” the former U21 national coach was quoted as saying in the statement.