Sports · Football · 6 hrs ago
Baumgart says HSV split was right and praises successor Polzin
Former Hamburg coach Steffen Baumgart says his 2024 departure was right after the club parted ways with him that November.
Baumgart said the team’s results and pressure to win promotion meant it was time for a new direction.
His former assistant Merlin Polzin took over and led Hamburg back to the Bundesliga in May 2025, ending a seven-year spell in the second tier.
Baumgart praised Polzin’s clear playing style and calmness, and said his lifelong connection to the club gives him a small bonus with HSV fans and staff.
Hamburg extended Polzin’s contract early, through 2029, a decision Baumgart called right.
The club’s leaders are aiming for Bundesliga survival this season, rather than setting a higher target.
Steffen Baumgart says his separation from Hamburg SV in November 2024 was the right decision.
He says pressure to meet the club’s promotion target had grown after results failed to meet expectations.
Baumgart praised successor Merlin Polzin, saying he has a clear footballing idea and benefits from his connection to the club.
Polzin led HSV back to the Bundesliga in May 2025 after seven years in the second division.
Baumgart says HSV’s leaders should remain realistic, with the club’s aim this season being to stay in the league.
- Who
- Steffen Baumgart, former HSV coach, and Merlin Polzin, his successor.
- What
- Baumgart said his departure from HSV was the right decision and praised Polzin’s work.
- When
- Baumgart left in November 2024; he made the comments in an interview published in October 2026.
- Where
- Hamburg, Germany; the comments concerned HSV.
- Why
- Baumgart said results had not met the promotion target and pressure had grown. He praised Polzin’s clear approach and connection to HSV.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
HSV parted ways with Baumgart after nine months as coach.
Polzin led HSV back to the Bundesliga after seven years in the second division.
Baumgart became coach of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Union Berlin parted ways with Baumgart.
Baumgart said in an interview that his HSV departure was the right decision and praised Polzin.
- HSV departure
- November 2024, after nine months
- Polzin contract extension
- Through 2029
- HSV promotion
- Returned to the Bundesliga in May 2025
- Baumgart’s Union Berlin tenure
- Joined in early 2025; left in April 2026
- Kopenhagen friendly attendance
- About 55,000 spectators
3 sources
What people are saying
He is an HSV fan since childhood and grew up at the club. That gives him a small bonus.
He has a clear idea of how he wants his team to play.
The separation, when Stefan asked me to talk in November 2024, was also the right decision.
They are not building castles in the air.