Hansa Rostock surprisingly separates from coach Härtel
Jens Härtel’s service with the second division soccer team Hansa Rostock has ended. The club separates from the promotion coach after almost four years. There are many warm words to say goodbye.
NAlso on Friday, Jens Härtel was very annoyed about the home defeat against SV Sandhausen. Almost 48 hours later he was no longer the coach of the second division football club FC Hansa Rostock. “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,” said sports director Marin Pieckenhagen according to a message from the club, which is in danger of relegation, on Sunday evening.
It is difficult for outsiders to understand why FC Hansa thinks that now is the right time to part with the promotion hero of 2021. Even if the 0:1 on Friday against SV Sandhausen was painful. After all, the Rostockers wanted to reach their half-time goal of 20 points early with a win. “It really pisses me off that we didn’t make it,” Härtel said angrily.
Jens Härtel (left) and Martin Pieckenhagen will go their separate ways in the future
Source: dpa
Making the change on the coaching bench just before the end of the first half of the season leaves questions despite the difficult situation. In the coming week, the Rostockers have only two more games to play before the long World Cup and winter break: on Wednesday (6.30 p.m.) against second bottom 1. FC Nürnberg, on Saturday (8.30 p.m.) against newly promoted Eintracht Braunschweig .
Bad home record
The club has some relegation concerns. After the 15th matchday, however, eight other of the 18 clubs in the league also have these. Hansa is currently twelfth in the table, but is only two points behind relegation place 17, where the next opponent from Nuremberg is. Especially the bad record in the local Ostseestadion is one of the reasons why the people of Mecklenburg are in trouble. The defeat against SV Sandhausen, who were also at risk, was the fifth in their own stadium this season and the third in a row in the Ostseestadion without their own goal.
The club has not yet announced who will look after the team in the last two games of the year. There will be an answer to the question by Monday at the latest. So even before the separation for 10:00 a.m. the match day press conference had been invited. However, there was still Härtel on the invitation.
The 53-year-old came to the then third division club FC Hansa in early 2019. In 2021 he led the team back to the second division and certainly managed to stay in the league last season. Shortly before the end of the past season, he extended his contract in Rostock by a year until June 2023.
“I will keep 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 in the club.” For Pieckenhagen it is clear that Haertel has “his services to FC Hansa” that “will not be forgotten”.
