2nd league
Walter 2.0? HSV coach Baumgart also likes it fast
Steffen Baumgart takes part in a press conference to introduce himself as head coach of Hamburger SV. photo
© Gregor Fischer/dpa
Would you like a spectacle? Steffen Baumgart made it clear during his introduction to Hamburger SV: He wants to see offensive football. HSV needs defensive stability.
Fans of Hamburger SV can also meet the new coach Steffen Baumgart prepare for spectacular football.
“If anyone expects me to keep a clean sheet, I think anyone who has watched my games will rarely experience a clean sheet,” said the 52-year-old during his introduction. “But you will be able to create maybe three or four more chances to score,” added the Rostock native.
The second division soccer team HSV parted ways with predecessor Tim Walter last week. The coach was often criticized for his offensive football with many goals conceded. The lack of stability also proved to be his downfall at the end of his career as HSV coach. Some fans are already wondering whether a Tim Walter 2.0 awaits them in Baumgart.
Baumgart, who led his first training session with the team on Tuesday, praised his predecessor’s work: “The work was good here before. Now we hope that we can just continue that and just improve this little moment,” he said former coach of 1. FC Cologne. Sports director Jonas Boldt had confirmed that the club did not want to make a 180-degree turn.
Baumgart’s goal: promotion. “That’s why I’m here,” he made clear. “I think the boys have enough self-confidence. This is a team that always comes back. You can only do that if you have self-confidence,” he praised.
For Baumgart, the job at HSV is something special. He is now under contract with the club he loved from his childhood. However, he made it clear that the anticipation should not overshadow the tense situation of the recently shaky traditional club. “It doesn’t work with just sympathy; it requires a lot of work.” Baumgart was promoted to the Bundesliga with SC Paderborn in 2019.