“That was for them”: HSV dedicate win to coaching staff | OneFootball

Despite a disastrous start to the season, HSV extended the contracts of head coach Merlin Polzin and his coaching staff on Friday. That sparked plenty of criticism.

That made the 2-1 win over 1. FC Köln all the more important. The Rothosen picked up their first points of the season and likely also calmed the debate surrounding Polzin’s extension. In recent days, both fans and pundits had at times fiercely criticized the decision — especially its timing.

Nicolai Remberg therefore knew exactly how significant the victory was for Polzin and his assistants. “That was for them,” the captain made clear in the mixed zone after the final whistle. “We messed it up in the first three games. The plan was always good, so the win is for them.” Even before the match, he had told Polzin: “We’re doing this for you.”

He continued: “There wasn’t a single critical voice in the entire squad saying we had been set up the wrong way. We just didn’t execute it.”

Photo: IMAGO

Remberg praises HSV coaches: “They’re doing an outstanding job”

The 26-year-old also emphasized several times how highly he thinks of HSV’s coaching staff, regardless of the results in recent weeks: “They’re doing an outstanding job. This isn’t brown-nosing, I’m not trying to butter them up. The effort and work they put in is incredible. That’s why I’m extremely happy about the win.”

In general, Remberg said, he could understand the discussions surrounding the extensions: “When you lose 5-0 twice and then have absolutely no chance at home against Mainz, it’s obvious the voices get louder when the coaching staff gets extended.” Those very voices are likely to quiet down after the Köln match. At least for now. After the international break, however, HSV face two more demanding tests against TSG Hoffenheim (10 October) and VfB Stuttgart (17 October).

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