“Fiete is not responsible for any decision regarding the delayed announcement”

Two days ago it became known, and yesterday it was confirmed, that the HSV striker Fiete Arp would move to FC Bayern. The transfer announcement has got a lot of media attention and sparked many debates. The 19-year-old talent has been playing at HSV since 2010, advancing through the HSV youth system, became the youngest ever goalscorer at the age of 17 and then last summer renewed his contract with HSV despite lucrative offers from other clubs. At the same time, there was an agreement in place that he would transfer to FC Bayern from 2020, which was not made public knowledge. “In retrospect, it was a mistake not to announce the transfer plan in the summer. However, the clubs involved are the ones responsible for this decision. Fiete had nothing to do with this,” said HSV president Bernd Hoffman to the media. In addition to this, the 56-year-old stressed that Arp made a decision with HSV in mind during the summer. “Fiete has not said that after last year’s relegation, he would take advantage of the interest in the summer and then leave. He has said that he wants to stay with HSV and correct the mistakes that the team made last year (the relegation).  We are counting very highly on him.”

Bernd Hoffmann spoke to the media about...

...the transfer: We got together in the summer with Bayern and Fiete Arp’s agents. We came to a solution, which we announced yesterday. We found a really good solution for both clubs and above all for Fiete, which took into account his interest in playing one or two more years with HSV.

...the miscommunication: In hindsight, it was a mistake to not announce it during the summer. However, this decision was made by the two clubs and Fiete had nothing to do with it. Fiete has not said that after last year’s relegation, he would take advantage of the interest in the summer and then leave. He has said that he wants to stay with HSV and correct the mistakes that the team made last year (the relegation).  We are counting very highly on him.

... the criticism of Fiete: The entire environment around a football club can be very emotional. If a player, who is a fan favourite, leaves the club, the player will make statements that are not fully understood by the fans as they do not know the whole story. This can cause a stir. I can understand this on an emotional level but not contextually. Normally, Fiete would have left us on a free transfer this summer as he was out of contract. However, he will stay until the summer, maybe even until 2020 and we will also get a reasonable transfer fee. This is a positive. 

... the effect on Arp: We have to remember, it is not only the past few weeks but the whole of 2018 that has effected Fiete. With the high expectations, all the offers, the rumours and the relegation, it is hard to deal with it. He has reacted excellently to these things. The most important thing is that he has Hannes Wolf close to him. Someone who will tell him what is important – to play football well with the team and to improve his overall game. If he plays as well as he did against Nürnberg, the other issues will disappear over time. 

...the timing of the transfer: It is certainly a unique situation, where the decision now lies with the player. However, his contract would have expired in the summer anyway. By being able to extend his contract, we have given him the opportunity to play for us for another year. The decision is up to him and he will handle it responsibly. Of course we would like him to play for another year, but the decision will be made at the end of the season. Fiete and ourselves are now focussed on the next 14 league games.