Did it help? HSV backed by a stand-in coach | OneFootball

When Merlin Polzin talks about his substitutes, he rarely uses the classic term “joker.” Instead, the HSV coach calls them “finishers.”

He means players who are expected to decisively influence a match after coming on. But there is apparently more behind this choice of words than just modern football language. As Bild reports, HSV brought in support from an unusual expert last year: Sammy Lander is considered the world’s first specialized substitution coach. The Englishman advises clubs and national teams on how substitutes can be optimally prepared for their role.

In spring 2025, Lander spent several days at the HSV campus. There, he presented his ideas to club staff and exchanged views with various departments. His core idea: substitutes should be integrated much more intensively into the matchday routine. Up to 40 so-called touchpoints, from brief conversations to tactical instructions, are said to be useful in preparing players mentally and athletically for their appearance.

Language also plays an important role. According to Lander, terms like “finisher,” “gamechanger,” or “dominator” are meant to help define each task more clearly and strengthen the players’ self-image. “We combine tactical roles with psychologically effective labels,” the expert explained.

Photo: IMAGO

HSV posts strong “joker numbers”

But did the collaboration actually have a measurable effect? At least some numbers suggest it did. Five different HSV professionals scored after coming on as substitutes last season. In addition, the Rothosen picked up 16 points after falling behind and were among the stronger teams in the league in this category.

HSV also looked solid in the closing stages of matches: only four of the top teams from the top seven conceded fewer goals after the 60th minute. Whether this can be attributed solely to Lander’s influence is, of course, hard to prove. But at the Volkspark, the role of substitutes was certainly not left to chance.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.