The ascent is missed. Anew. But HSV is satisfied with its development. Coach Tim Walter continues to enjoy Jonas Boldt’s trust – and Boldt has an ace up his sleeve.
The HSV and the Bundesliga return, flap, the sixth: In the coming season, the former European Cup winner Hamburger SV will start the next attempt to get rid of its stigma of being second class in football.
Continuity is new to the program. The protagonists remain the same as in the failed attempts in 2022 and 2023: trainer Tim Walter and sports director Jonas Boldt. That was “obvious,” said Boldt after the 3-1 defeat in the relegation second leg against VfB Stuttgart. “We built a foundation. In the end, only nuances were missing.”
The Walter/Boldt duo could only be broken up if the 41-year-old Boldt were expelled from the HSV field by the supervisory board. But that is not to be expected in the next meeting of the control committee. Boldt has the board’s support, and Walter has Boldt’s support.
Walter and Boldt in focus
The 47-year-old coach also said with a view to the next attempt at promotion in the coming season: “Basically, it’s important for us to continue like this.” The failure of the Rise 2023 project can be attributed to him and the sports director.
From the beginning of the season, both had repeated like a mantra that HSV would finally return with this team to where the club and its fans see themselves despite being relegated in 2018: in the Bundesliga. Nobody moved more money, nobody had a more expensive squad: Nevertheless, HSV failed again.
Already missing the direct rise behind 1. FC Heidenheim and Darmstadt 98 was a low blow. And that in a league where there were no big names like in the previous season in Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen.
The two relegation games against the first division 16. VfB Stuttgart with the 0:3 in the first leg and the defeat in the Volksparkstadion made it clear that the team rarely meets higher standards than those of the 2nd division. This is not changed by Walter’s repeated remark that Hamburg played the most successful second division season with 66 points and 20 wins.
What speaks for Walter is that he has formed a cohesive team with a strong personality, which is loved by the fans and stands by their coach unconditionally. Despite the disappointment and many tears, the supporters stayed a long time on Monday evening in the sold-out arena with 55,500 spectators and celebrated the players. Walter has created a high level of emotionality, an us-against-all mentality.
Strong opponents in the 2nd division
In the new season it will be more difficult. Relegated Schalke will aim for immediate resurgence, Hertha BSC still has to clarify the license issue. City rivals FC St. Pauli showed a big improvement in performance under Fabian Hürzeler and were by far the best team in the second half of the season. Fortuna Düsseldorf and Hannover 96 are also expected to do a lot.
A large, critical analysis of the season was not announced by HSV – unlike the relegation winner Stuttgart – for the time being. It is the great art “to bring the potential that the boys have to the pitch as consistently as possible. We have improved that this season,” said Boldt simply.
Some of these guys could now leave HSV. Players like striker Robert Glatzel, midfielder Ludovit Reis and goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who was fighting back tears on Monday, will certainly be interested. It is unclear whether Sonny Kittel will stay. The contract of the HSV goalscorer in the relegation second leg is expiring. “We’re going to have a lot of talks,” Walter announced.
Key players should stay
Boldt also raised hopes that the key players would stay: “They know what they have in Hamburg and in us.” The fact that HSV missed out on promotion shouldn’t make the negotiating positions any better.
The head of sport has also recognized that there is an urgent need for action in some positions. “We’ve seen over the two games that there’s still room for improvement,” said Boldt. Improvements are needed, especially on the defensive.
It is unlikely that the so-called Walter football will be put to the test. The trainer’s strategy of playing flat from the defensive onto the wings with possession of the ball and creating one-on-one situations there, dominating your opponents, usually only works against weaker teams. Teams like 1. FC Magdeburg, FC St. Pauli, Heidenheim and Darmstadt found their ways and means against HSV. Walter obviously doesn’t have or want a plan B.
Public self-doubt or even self-criticism is not his thing. Victories were overrated and defeats downplayed. “I can’t think negatively and act positively,” he explained before the two relegation games. “It doesn’t work. That’s why there are no negative thoughts at all.” If criticism arises, Walter rigorously wipes it off the table. That might strengthen the unity of the team, but to the outside world it comes across as stubborn and sometimes even arrogant.