Jens Haertel is gone. But who will be his successor as coach at the second division soccer team Hansa Rostock? A quick decision is needed. There is an important game on Wednesday.
Rostock (dpa/mv) - Jens Härtel's successor does not have much time to get the second division football team FC Hansa Rostock back on track. At least it is not yet official who will take on the role of coach for the time being. The next important game in the relegation battle is on Wednesday (6.30 p.m. / Sky) for the Mecklenburgers against the penultimate table 1. FC Nürnberg. On Saturday, the currently twelfth place in the table will go to the -eleventh Eintracht Braunschweig. Then the almost two-month World Cup and winter break begins,
One day after the - at this point in time - surprising separation from 53-year-old Haertel, it is eagerly awaited who will lead the team on Monday. On Saturday evening, the press conference for the matchday at 10 a.m. was invited - with Jens Härtel. It's out now. The new man will only be seen in training. It was still unclear on Sunday evening whether it was an interim solution just for this week or whether it was already the coach of the future.
"We have had many discussions over the past few weeks and have come to the conclusion that after almost four years together, which were extremely intensive, we have now reached a point where it is time for changes and new impetus," Sports director Marin Pieckenhagen justified the leave of absence in the message on Sunday evening. The successor name was initially dispensed with.
Haertel came to the then third division club FC Hansa in early 2019. In 2021 he led the team back to the 2nd Bundesliga and certainly managed to stay in the league last season. Shortly before the end of the past season, he had extended his contract in Rostock by a year until June 2023. After German unification, no coach sat on the Hansa bench for so long.
"I will have fond memories of the almost four years that I was allowed to be the head coach of this club - especially the successes that we were able to achieve together during this time," Hartel is quoted as saying in the message. "I'm grateful for the experience I've gained and for the always open and honest exchange with those responsible at the club."
Haertel hands over a team that, after all, is not on a relegation zone. However, the lead to the danger zone is only two points. The main reason for this is the poor home record. The 0:1 on Friday against relegation rivals SV Sandhausen was the fifth defeat in the Ostseestadion and also the third without a goal.
