"Time was right for a change" – Schonlau opens up on HSV exit | OneFootball

Sebastian Schonlau served as HSV captain for four seasons. However, just a few months after promotion, their paths parted ways.

Sebastian Schonlau moved to the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada shortly before the start of the Bundesliga. “It was communicated early on that it wouldn’t be easy for me in the new season. You notice that during the course of pre-season: you talk about your own role, and it was clear from the start that I wouldn’t have the same importance on the field as in previous years. On top of that, there was the limited playing time in the friendlies,” explained the central defender in the detailed Sport1 interview.

Even in the past season, his sporting reputation declined. Schonlau lost his undisputed starting spot that he had held for three and a half seasons. He continued to fill the captain’s role and thus played an enormously important part. “Without Bascho, we would never have been promoted. What he did for the team behind the scenes—even in moments when he wasn’t getting playing time—was outstanding and went far beyond the duties of a captain,” praised head coach Merlin Polzin.

Schonlau: “Bundesliga with HSV would have been absolutely special”

However, from a sporting perspective, he was no longer relied upon. HSV strengthened their defense with several new signings. The 31-year-old was aware of his situation: “There were two options: stay or do something else. That’s how I approached it. I knew there might be a change, but it was also clear to me that if there wasn’t, I would remain an HSV player, and that would have been a cool story as well.”

Schonlau looks back very positively on his time in the Hanseatic city, which was crowned by promotion to the Bundesliga: “I had four very, very intense years in Hamburg, which I really wouldn’t want to miss—it basically had all the highs and lows you can imagine. I enjoyed every second.” However, he made it clear: “There’s no need to hide the fact that Bundesliga matches with HSV would have been an absolutely special experience. But I won’t have that anymore.”

Nur die Raute – All the news about HSV

Originally, the idea when he moved from Paderborn in the summer of 2021 was to get promoted right away and then play a few years in the Bundesliga. “But that’s not how football works. You can’t plan these things. That’s why I don’t regret anything and definitely don’t regret my move to Vancouver. On the contrary: the time was right for a change,” emphasized Schonlau, who met Bayern legend Thomas Müller at his new club, but has not yet made an appearance himself.

The two-footed central defender continues to follow HSV closely, even from almost 8,000 kilometers away: “There are certainly people who will accompany me beyond my football career and have become friends. That’s why, of course, I’m still interested in how HSV is doing. The club has simply grown close to my heart. Because of the time difference, it’s not always possible to follow everything. But at least watching the highlights of the games is a must.” Accordingly, he was probably pleased with the recent results.

Photo: IMAGO

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