So much for Mr Nice Guy: Polzin lays down the law at HSV | OneFootball

Merlin Polzin is considered the most popular coach in the HSV environment for a long time. Nevertheless, the young coach does not shy away from unpopular measures!

He is the central face of the rise: Since Merlin Polzin took over at Hamburger SV in December, a lot has developed in the right direction within the club.

His greatest strength: Polzin shines above all in external representation and as a communicator. When the Rothosen were haunted by the promotion flutter again in April, the novice coach kept calm and always found the right words in public. He also treats journalists, referees, and employees with the greatest possible courtesy.

Polzin finally became the figurehead of the club with his speech at Hamburg City Hall. After the successful Bundesliga return, the 34-year-old spoke to the local politicians about a "different HSV" than the one the Bundesliga said goodbye to seven years ago. One would take on the new challenge "with maximum demand, the necessary humility, and respect for the task".

Nur die Raute – Alle News rund um den HSV

Polzin continues to revamp HSV!

This success was only possible because Polzin had previously made various tough decisions. Sebastian Schonlau, captain and undisputed defense chief for three and a half years, was put on the bench after a heated form duel in the first half of the season. In his place, the actual midfielder Daniel Elfadli moved into the central defense and did an excellent job.

And even after promotion, the native Hamburger continues to take consistent action: The heroes of the previous season do not enjoy any bonus with Polzin. So, among other things, Robert Glatzel and Jonas Meffert have to fear for their regular places. Elfmeter-Killer Daniel Heuer Fernandes also got a serious competitor for the number one with Daniel Peretz. Depending on the course of the preparation, Schonlau's HSV time could finally come to an end.

However, Polzin has only recently made the perhaps toughest decision: He told crowd favorite Bakery Jatta that he currently has no use for him. As the only field player, he left the Gambian on the bench for 90 minutes in the test match against Graz (1:2). This had "purely sporting reasons," Polzin later said.

In the training camp in Herzogenaurach, the coach had a by no means easy but clear conversation with the perhaps most popular HSV player of the past years about his future prospects. Bild also reports that Jatta is on the hit list of the Hanseatic League. It would by no means be the first controversial measure that Polzin had to take in the last few months.

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