Hamburg-based football club Hamburger SV has announced an extension of its coaching staff ahead of the upcoming Bundesliga season. The commitment to head coach Merlin Polzin and his team signals stability and confidence as the club transitions back into the top-tier league after a seven-year absence.
The contracts, originally set to expire at the end of the current campaign, have been extended by two years. This decision, according to Hamburger SV’s Sporting Director Stefan Kuntz, is designed to provide assurance and backing for the team as they navigate the challenges of Bundesliga competition. “We are taking this step with full conviction” Kuntz stated. “The Bundesliga represents fierce competition and undoubtedly, we will face crises. We are prepared to confront these challenges sustainably alongside Merlin, Loic and Richard.
Merlin Polzin, a native of Hamburg, initially joined the club as an assistant coach in the 2020/21 season. He assumed the role of interim head coach during the past season before receiving full confidence and an extended mandate at the end of the first half of the season.
The coaching team was further strengthened with the addition of assistant coaches Loic Fave and Richard Krohn, both with strong ties to Hamburg and previously involved with the club’s youth development program. Taking over when the team was positioned eighth in the league standings, the trio propelled Hamburger SV back into the Bundesliga, averaging 1.86 points per game.
“The HSV is the club in my hometown” Polzin commented. “Since joining, it has been a great source of pride to wear the club crest. The past few months have been particularly intense, especially due to the promotion to the Bundesliga. I speak for the entire coaching team – we know what this club means to the people and we are very happy to have been further strengthened and supported by the management and board in this configuration”.