Traditional club in crisis
Kroos makes fun of HSV coaching candidates
November 27, 2024 - 4:47 p.mReading time: 2 min.
After Steffen Baumgart was released, HSV is looking for a new coach. Toni Kroos doesn’t think much of a candidate.
The search for a coach at Hamburger SV is currently causing a lot of discussion - including with Toni Kroos. The 2014 world champion, who ended his active career in the summer, humorously commented on the second division team’s situation in his podcast “Einfach Mal Luppen”.
After the disappointing 2-2 draw against Schalke 04 and the subsequent separation from coach Steffen Baumgart, HSV is without a head coach. Assistant Merlin Polzin is currently leading the training and preparing the team for the upcoming away game against Karlsruher SC (Sunday, 1:30 p.m. in the t-online live ticker).
Several names are now circulating as possible successors (you can read more about this here). In addition to prominent candidates such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Niko Kovač, second division experts such as Friedhelm Funkel and Lukas Kwasniok are also being discussed. Even Bruno Labbadia, who has coached the club twice, was brought into discussion again.
The idea of re-signing Labbadia in particular caused Kroos to be amused. “What I was wondering: Where is Bruno Labbadia?” commented the 34-year-old with a laugh. His brother Felix pointed out that Labbadia was actually being considered as a candidate again. Kroos then countered smugly: “The problem is that you would then need a new coach before Christmas.”
In fact, Labbadia worked in Hamburg between 2009 and 2010 and from 2015 to 2016. While he remained in office for almost ten months in his first term of office and at least 17 months in the second, his last stint at VfB Stuttgart to date was significantly shorter: he had to vacate his post there after just three months.
Kroos spoke out in favor of another candidate: Friedhelm Funkel. Funkel is undefeated in the small-field Icon League, which Kroos co-founded. “He was there once and won. He’s available,” explained Kroos with a wink. He recently spoke to Funkel and got the impression that the experienced coach wasn’t ready to retire yet: “Friedhelm is always worth a call.”
In addition to these humorous assessments, Kroos also revealed his personal animosity towards HSV. The former Werder Bremen fan took the opportunity to make it clear that he has no sympathy for the traditional club. “If possible, I would like HSV to lose a lot of games,” he said openly. At the same time, however, he emphasized that he could not evaluate Steffen Baumgart’s dismissal because he “didn’t see Hamburg play under Baumi either.”
Kroos admitted that his statements about the search for a coach should be taken with a wink. Nevertheless, it should be clear that his attack against HSV was not entirely without ulterior motives.
How does player commentary, like that of Toni Kroos, influence public perception of managerial changes in football?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our special segment on football, where we dive deep into the intricacies of the beautiful game. Today, we’re joined by renowned football expert and analyst, Dr. Marcus Klein. Thank you for being here, Marcus!
Dr. Marcus Klein (MK): Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the latest happenings in football.
TNE: Let’s jump right in. The situation at Hamburger SV seems quite chaotic following the departure of Steffen Baumgart. Can you give us an overview of what led to this point?
MK: Absolutely. HSV had been struggling to gather consistent results, and after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Schalke 04, it was clear that change was necessary. Baumgart’s stint wasn’t yielding the desired outcomes, and the club’s management likely realized that a fresh perspective was needed to rejuvenate the team’s performance.
TNE: That’s insightful. With the coaching search in full swing, names like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Niko Kovač are being tossed around. How viable do you think these candidates are?
MK: Both van Nistelrooy and Kovač are excellent managers with a wealth of experience. Van Nistelrooy has shown great potential with PSV Eindhoven, while Kovač has had a mix of success and challenges in previous roles. The question really comes down to whether the club is looking for a short-term fix or a long-term project.
TNE: Speaking of short-term fixes, Toni Kroos recently made some humorous comments about the potential re-signing of Bruno Labbadia. It seems to have sparked some conversation. What do you think Kroos meant by that?
MK: Kroos’s comments highlight a broader sentiment in football; often, clubs look to familiar faces out of nostalgia rather than looking towards innovative or fresh tactics. Labbadia has experience with HSV, but his previous tenures were also marked by inconsistency. Kroos’s remark about needing a new coach before Christmas suggests that the timing and necessity for change are critical factors right now.
TNE: It’s interesting how Kroos, being a part of the current football narrative, still brings humor into such a tense situation. Do you think his commentary reflects a larger trend among players discussing managerial changes?
MK: Certainly! Players like Kroos often have an insider’s perspective and use platforms like podcasts to express their views, which can influence fan sentiments. Humor can serve as a coping mechanism for both players and fans during tumultuous times, making serious situations more relatable.
TNE: And on that note, what do you think the implications will be for HSV if they don’t find a good fit soon?
MK: The stakes are incredibly high for HSV. They’re a club with a rich history but are currently in a crisis. If the right coach isn’t appointed soon, it could lead to more instability, damaging player morale and possibly impacting their performance in the league. They need someone who can not only manage the team tactically but also inspire confidence and unity.
TNE: Well, we’re certainly witnessing a pivotal moment in HSV’s history. Thanks, Marcus, for your insights into this evolving story. We’ll be keeping an eye on their coaching decisions!
MK: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how this situation unfolds. Football is always full of surprises!