Most recently in Turkey
©IMAGO
SV Sandhausen has presented returnee Kenan Kocak as their new coach. The 43-year-old was on the sidelines for 82 games between 2016 and 2018 and now succeeds Sreto Ristic, who was released shortly before Christmas after the 2-0 loss at Viktoria Köln. Kocak takes over the SVS in tenth place in the 3rd league.
Under Kocak, the SVS achieved the best placement in the club’s history with tenth place in the 2nd Bundesliga in the 2016/17 season. After his stint in Sandhausen, he worked at Hannover 96, as assistant coach of the Turkish national team under Stefan Kuntz and most recently at the Turkish second division club Ankaragücü. His tenure there ended shortly before Christmas after eight wins and four defeats in 14 games.
“When the door opened to Kenan, we didn’t have to think twice. He knows the region as well as the potential and environment of the SVS very well. That’s why I’m pleased that Kenan has chosen the SVS,” said President Jürgen Machmeier. Kocak added: “It’s nice to return to my old place of work. When Jürgen Machmeier contacted me, I didn’t have to hesitate for long. It was clear to me that I wanted to return home to the region.”
The SVS has been playing in the 3rd league since the summer of 2023. Previously, second division football was played in the Hardtwald stadium for eleven seasons in a row.