Hamburg FC St. Pauli
Desired Pauli coach Hürzeler is initially leaving his future open
As of: 3:11 p.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
Does he stay? Is he looking for new goals? Fabian Hürzeler will soon have to answer these questions
Quelle: picture alliance / xim.gs
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The successes of the second division club FC St. Pauli make coach Fabian Hürzeler interesting for other clubs. His contract is expiring. His future is still open. He is not afraid of consequences for his work.
Head coach Fabian Hürzeler does not see the still unresolved personnel issues at FC St. Pauli as a burden on the chances of promotion in the 2nd Bundesliga. In addition to key players such as midfielder Marcel Hartel and goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, Hürzeler’s contract also expires at the end of the season. “I don’t let the topic influence me at all because my focus is on the moment, on the team, on the success, on the next game,” said the 30-year-old on Thursday at the press conference for the start of the second half of the season against the second-placed team 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday (1 p.m./Sky).
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He also emphasized: “I, as well as the club and those responsible, want clarity on the issue as quickly as possible.” He wants to concentrate on his work until it is clarified. “What can I influence, is the question?” said Hürzeler. “And what I can influence is preparing the team for the next opponent together with my coaching team.”
Of course, the question of the future is an issue “that needs to be worked through,” said the up-and-coming coach. But the focus is now on the next opponent. “From the conversations with the players and also with the leaders, I hear that the same way of thinking applies to them.”
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Hürzeler was promoted from assistant to head coach a year ago, replacing Timo Schultz (now 1. FC Köln). In the second half of 2023, he led the team out of the relegation zone to fifth place in the table. The team is still undefeated this season. His track record also made him interesting for other clubs.
Difference from previous seasons
Two years ago, FC St. Pauli went from a promotion spot to the second half of the 2nd Bundesliga – with a small but subtle difference, as Hürzeler now noted. “We were first then, now we are second. That means we are not the hunted, but we have to hunt,” he said. “That sounds banal. But that’s a different way of thinking with which we approach the matter.” Hürzeler cites consistency as the most important prerequisite for moving into the first floor this time. “We have to be consistent in our own performances,” he said. “The performances have to be right, then the results will be there.”
Almost no staff worries
He doesn’t think the results will stay the same as in previous games if they continue to play as well and defend as well. “Theoretically that is not possible.” With three draws before the winter break, FC St. Pauli lost important points and its lead in the table. “Especially in the last few games we could have gotten more, maybe even should have,” said midfielder Marcel Hartel, the outstanding Pauli professional in the first half of the season.
In terms of personnel, Hürzeler has little to worry about before the game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, which was heavily restructured during the winter break. The absence of Jackson Irvine and his Australian compatriot Connor Metcalfe is serious. Both are active for their home country at the Asian Cup. Striker Simon Zoller is still in advanced training, Scott Banks is working in rehab after tearing his cruciate ligament. Aljoscha Kemlein could move straight into the starting line-up. The 19-year-old defensive midfielder is a candidate as Irvine’s replacement. Kemlein has been loaned from Union Berlin until the end of the season.
Lots of new additions to opponents Kaiserslautern
Opening opponent 1. FC Kaiserslautern looks like a surprise bag after various squad movements. The team starts 15th in the table with five new signings made during the winter break. into the second half of the season. “I want my team to perform courageously in Hamburg. There is always pressure, regardless of the number of new signings,” said FCK coach Dimitrios Grammozis on Thursday. “We are at an ambitious club here.”
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So far he is satisfied with the integration of the winter newcomers. “The boys have adapted very well to the group. “They’ve been playing football for a few days, so you don’t have to pick them up from scratch,” emphasized the 45-year-old. It is also possible that there will be further changes to the squad by the end of the transfer period on February 1st. “The squad is big at the moment. We communicated clearly with the players. Even with those who may be a little behind in the future,” said Grammozis. Everyone knows “what they are about with us”.
Praise for FC St. Pauli
Second in the table from Hamburg has a very stable team. “I think that St. Pauli will have a say in promotion until the end. We need the necessary luck to take something away,” said the coach. In terms of personnel, Grammozis has almost everything it can do. Only Afeez Aremu is missing, suspended.
