Former coach hails HSV newcomer Amoako: “He’s a tackling beast” | OneFootball

With Kofi Amoako, HSV have presented their first new signing early on. Experts believe the youngster has a lot of potential.

One person who knows the 21-year-old particularly well is Daniel Bauer. The former VfL Wolfsburg coach, who ironically lost his job after the 1–2 defeat to HSV in March, is full of praise.

As the former U19 coach of the Wolves, he worked closely with Amoako over several years and is considered an important mentor. The two still keep in regular contact to this day. Accordingly, Bauer’s assessment of the move to Hamburg is clear.

“Kofi is a number six type who has almost died out a little,” Bauer said in an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt. At a time when many midfielders are expected to interpret the role as flexibly as possible, he sees Amoako as a specialist in the best sense of the word. Bauer particularly highlights his presence off the ball: “He’s a tackling beast with good timing in the challenge.”

Timotheus Eimert of the Sächsische Zeitung adds: “He wins the important duels, can slide tackle superbly and, above all, fairly.”

Photo: IMAGO

Bauer congratulates HSV on the transfer

But Amoako offers far more than pure toughness. Bauer describes him as a strategically minded midfielder with a good feel for space and balance. “He is incredibly well organised and has an eye for defensive cover,” says the 43-year-old, adding that the Germany U20 international can “also really play.”

He could therefore become very valuable for HSV. Behind Nicolai Remberg, Amoako is likely to be developed initially as a challenger, but in the medium term he could be prepared for several roles in central midfield. Bauer believes he can make that development.

It helps that Amoako has a good character. “Kofi is very down-to-earth and reliable. A hard worker who gives everything in every training session,” says Bauer. This mix of mentality, tactical understanding and development potential is exactly what makes the transfer so exciting in his view. His conclusion is therefore unmistakable: “For me, this is very good squad planning and a smart transfer.”

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