SV Hamburg axe coach as Bundesliga promotion in danger again

SV Hamburg on Monday parted ways with coach Tim Walter in the wake of inconsistent results which have raised fears they could fail to win promotion back into the top flight Bundesliga yet again, reported dpa.

The decision came in the wake of a second straight 4-3 home defeat, on Friday against Hanover.

Hamburg said that assistant coach Merlin Polzin would be in charge for now.

Former European and Bundesliga champions Hamburg are placed third in the second division which would earn a play-off. The top two finishers gain direct promotion.

"We underwent an analysis after the disappointing home defeat against Hanover and came to the decision that we must make a change in order not to endanger our goals for the season," board member for sport Jonas Boldt said in a cluib statement.

Hamburg were relegated for the first time in club history in 2018 and have failed five times to get back into the top flight. They finished fourth in the first three seasons and lost play-offs in 2022 and 2023.

Walter was in charge since 2021 and only three men have served longer terms at the club in the past 40 years: Ernst Happel (1981-1987), Benno Möhlmann (1992-1995) and Frank Pagelsdorf (1997-2001).

Walter, 48, was close to be being axed before Christmas but was retained at the time. His self confidence and risky attacking game plan with little defensive stability had long been criticised by some.