Season

HSV’s coaching team agree new contracts

Polzin and his coaching team to start the new season with total clarity. Board member for sport Kuntz: “This is a step we’re taking with full conviction.”

Hamburger SV have taken another important step ahead of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season by agreeing new contracts with head coach Merlin Polzin and his coaching team. “This is a step we’re taking with full conviction,” said board member for sport Stefan Kuntz. “The message to the coaching team and everyone around the club is clear: we want to offer stability and full backing for the challenges ahead. The Bundesliga is a highly competitive league, and we know there will be difficult moments. But we’re ready to face those together with Merlin, Loïc and Richi. We proved last season that we’re a strong unit – one that can find solutions even in the face of setbacks.”

Speaking about the contract adjustments for Polzin and assistant coaches Loïc Favé and Richard Krohn, director of football Claus Costa added: “Merlin, Loïc and Richi have been doing excellent work at HSV for some time – long before stepping up to lead the first team. They played a key role in helping the club achieve its long-awaited return to the Bundesliga, thanks to their tireless work ethic, attention to detail and clarity of thought. Since then, they’ve wasted no time turning their focus to the challenges ahead with clear analysis and renewed determination. It’s that blend of reflection and ambition that defines our coaching team, and we now want to continue writing the next successful chapter at HSV together.”

Polzin: “We’ll keep giving everything for this club”

A Hamburg native, Merlin Polzin joined the Rothosen as assistant coach for the 2020/21 season and initially took over the head coach role on an interim basis during the 2024/25 campaign. At the midway mark, he was then handed the role until the end of the season. His assistants, fellow Hamburg locals Loïc Favé and Richard Krohn – both previously involved in HSV’s academy setup – also stepped up to join the first-team setup. The trio took charge in late November 2024 with HSV sitting eighth in the table, and went on to lead the club back to the Bundesliga after seven seasons away, averaging 1.86 points per game. Under their guidance, HSV developed into the most prolific attacking side in the league, while also becoming a close-knit, resilient unit – shaped by a clear playing identity and deep sense of togetherness.

“HSV is the club from my hometown, and since the day I arrived here it’s been a source of great pride to wear the badge,” commented Polzin. “The past few months – especially winning promotion – have been intense in the best possible way. I speak on behalf of the entire coaching staff when I say that we know what this club means to people, and we’re extremely grateful for the support and trust shown in us by the board and the wider club.” Looking ahead to the new season, Polzin made the team’s ambitions clear: “Together with our entire staff, we are fully focused and determined to help re-establish HSV in the Bundesliga. We will approach this challenge with humility, but also with huge ambition and we’ll continue to give everything for the badge, every single day.”

Alongside head coach Polzin and assistants Favé and Krohn, the promotion-winning coaching team included Jan Hasenkamp (fitness coach), Sebastian Capel (rehabilitation coach), Sven Höh (goalkeeper coach) and Eduard Riesen (match analyst). Ahead of the 2025/26 season, the group has been further strengthened with new additions: Basil More-Chevalier (performance manager) and Felix Wolfmeier (match analyst) have joined from HSV’s youth setup, while 27-year-old Max Bergmann – previously assistant coach at third-tier side TSG Hoffenheim II – has come on board as assistant coach for analysis. Supported by experienced staff from the club’s medical and backroom departments, this expanded team is now fully focused on the final phase of pre-season preparations.