2nd Bundesliga
After the end in Cologne: Steffen Baumgart is to become the new coach at HSV
With his direct nature, Steffen Baumgart quickly became a fan favorite in Cologne – now he is moving to Hamburger SV
© Rolf Vennenbernd / DPA
After his successful but ultimately unsuccessful time on the Rhine, fan favorite Steffen Baumgart is apparently drawn to the Elbe. According to media reports, the 52-year-old coach is supposed to help HSV back into the first league.
The ex-professional is considered the preferred candidate among HSV fans after coach Tim Walter left last week. Baumgart can rise. In 2019, the Rostock native led SC Paderborn into the Bundesliga. During his stints, the football teacher, known for his robust nature, demanded intensive pressing and tireless offensive football from his players.
Steffen Baumgart: a fan favorite at 1. FC Köln until the end
As a gnarly and exciting coach on the sidelines, he not only made many friends in the team, but also among the fans of 1. FC Köln during his time between summer 2021 and the end of last year. In December, the Rhinelanders, who were in danger of relegation, announced the end for Baumgart.
The ex-striker described himself as an HSV fan. His main task will be to stabilize the HSV defense, which is prone to errors under coach Walter. The coach, who had missed promotion with the Hanseatic League twice in a row due to relegation, had rarely managed to do that. The defensive problems called into question the suitability of the team currently third in the table for promotion – despite the squad having a high level of offensive ability. In the first two home games of the year against Karlsruher SC (3:4) and Hannover 96 (3:4), the North Germans conceded eight goals.
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HSV is trying to return to the Bundesliga this season for the sixth time since 2018. Walter had already come under criticism at the end of the year, but was allowed to continue. Despite the ups and downs in sport, the coach was still very popular with his players. Nevertheless, sports director Jonas Boldt put an end to the Walter chapter in mid-February after two and a half years of cooperation.
Shortly afterwards, interim coach Merlin Polzin took over. The team wasn’t able to convince in the first game under him as boss on the sidelines. At FC Hansa Rostock, which was in danger of relegation, HSV only managed a 2-2 draw and continued to reveal defensive weaknesses. The gap to city rivals and league leaders FC St. Pauli is now seven points, while Holstein Kiel is second in the table, five points ahead of HSV.