The Hamburger SV Fight again in the 2024/2025 season for promotion to the Bundesliga – And this time the chances have almost not been long. After years of failure, the team looks more stable, the squad more balanced and the mentality. Under coach Merlin Polzin, the HSV presents itself tactically clearly and aggressively. With Davie Selke and Robert Glatzel, the team has a strong storm duo. But the competition is big, the pressure remains high – and the last days of the game are a sample. Whether the HSV really makes it in 2025 depends on constancy, nerve strength and some luck.
Table of contents
- The eternal promotion candidate: from the Bundesliga dino to the two-league bracelet
- Current season 2024/2025: Between hope and challenge
- Why it has never worked: five years, five disappointments
- The environment: between fan euphoria and public expectation pressure
- What is different this time – or must be different
- Forecast: Does the HSV 2025 create the climb?
The eternal promotion candidate Since the historical descent in 2018, Hamburger SV has been waiting for its return to the German Football House. Every season since then the HSV has been one of the top favorites on the climb, but the disillusionment always followed. Sometimes it was a bitter last-minute drama, sometimes a late form crisis that caused the dream to burst. The same question arises again in 2025: Will it finally work this time?
Current season 2024/2025: Between hope and challenge
The HSV is once more experiencing up and down in the current second division season – but this time with a much more stable course than in many years before. After 27 match days, the Hamburgers rank in second place in the table and are therefore fully in the race for direct climbing. The deficit to the leader 1. FC Cologne is minimal, while with Kaiserslautern, Paderborn and other clubs there are several teams on the back of the neck. The tension at the top of the table could hardly be greater.
A lot has also happened on the coaching bank during the season. After Steffen Baumgart took over the office, there was a surprising turn in late autumn: Baumgart left the cluband his previous assistant Merlin Polzin was promoted to head coach. The team stabilized noticeably under his leadership. A series of unbeaten games at the beginning of his tenure not only brought important points, but also new self -confidence to the team.
The narrow home win against 1. FC Köln was particularly remarkable – a real finger in the promotion race. At the same time, the subsequent defeat against a direct competitor showed that the league is still unpredictable and that no team can afford slips.
In the attack is Davie Selke currently the most striking player. With his gates, he has contributed significantly to the current table. But there are also discussions about him, because his future at HSV does not seem to have been finally clarified – a topic that could bring unrest if it takes the decisive season phase.
With only seven match days in front of the chest, it now depends on every detail: fitness, shape, nerve strength – and maybe a bit of luck. The HSV has the chance to finally do it. But he must not allow himself a misstep in this narrow promotion race.
Why it has never worked: five years, five disappointments
Since relegation in 2018, Hamburger SV has started every season with the fixed goal of returning to the Bundesliga as quickly as possible. But in the end there was always the same knowledge: it is not enough. Sometimes it was bad luck, sometimes self -fault – often a mix of both.
In the first two years after relegation, it was primarily the slump in the second half of the season that cost HSV the climb. In the middle of the season it looked good, but nerves and shape were lost in the final sprint. In 2022, they had already risen as well, but then lost in the relegation against Hertha BSC. The next drama followed in 2023: In a real heartbeat finale, HSV was overtaken in added time on the last match day of Heidenheim – although many had already expected promotion. And 2024? Again only fourth – despite one of the most expensive squads in the league.
A pattern runs through all these years: HSV has not managed to constantly perform over a whole season. Again and again there was a change of coaches, system changes and unexpected forms. Especially in the crucial weeks of the season, the team often seemed blocked as if the fear of failure was paralyzed. The big name HSV then did not seem to help – on the contrary: expectations and the pressure seemed to get bigger.
The environment did not always contribute to rest. Media, fans, club management – there was often a lack of a clear line and long -term planning. Advice rooms were re -formulated year after year without really learning from the mistakes.
Did the HSV finally draw the right conclusions from this past? The current season will show it. The prerequisites are there – but they were before.
The environment: between fan euphoria and public expectation pressure
The HSV is not just any second division. He is a club with a great story, a huge followers and a media interest that would make even some first division into jealous. But that is exactly the curse and a blessing at the same time.
The fans of the HSV are in remarkable loyalty to their club. Year after year, Hamburg’s top positions in the spectator statistics show – even in the 2nd league. The Volkspark is often sold out, and even at away games there are thousands of HSV supporters. This support can be a real factor, especially in tight games. But it also creates a huge pressure to expect. “Only the HSV” has long been more than a slogan – it is a claim.
The media accompaniment of the association is also intense. Every personnel decision, every form kink, every coaching comment is placed on the gold scales. Keeping calm in such a charged environment is not an easy task – neither for players nor for coaches or those responsible.
This pressure has often been a problem in recent years. The fear of not making it again seemed almost tangible in the hot season phase – on the square as well as in the ranks. Even small setbacks led to unrest, discussions or overheated debates. At the same time, this emotional closeness is also a strength of the association: when it works, the city bears the HSV on a wave of euphoria.
A key to success could be to master this balancing act: use the passion of the fans – without being crushed by the constant promotion mantra. In the current season, the team and those responsible work a little more solid than in previous years. Is that enough to break through the vicious circle?
What is different this time – or must be different
In the 2024/2025 season, Hamburger SV shows significant changes that give hope for a successful ascent. The squad was targeted and now presents itself more balanced and stable.
On the defensive, captain Sebastian Schonlau ensures leadership and stability. It is supported by newcomers such as Silvan Hefi and Lucas Perrin, who both have international experience and further consolidate the defense. Miro Muheim and William Mikelbrencis bring dynamics and depth into play on the outer positions.
In midfield, Jonas Meffert acts as a reliable six, who directs the game and ensures balance. Ludovit Reis and Levin Ă–ztunali complement the center with creativity and urge for offensive, while Immanuel Pherai and Marco Richter ensure speed and punch on the wings.
The offensive is particularly remarkable: With the commitment of Davie Selke from 1. FC Köln, the HSV has won an experienced striker who has repeatedly demonstrated its danger of goal. Together with Robert Glatzel it forms a powerful duo that can be used variably and presents opposing defensive series with great challenges. They are supported by wing players such as Ransford Königsdörffer and Bakery Jattathat offer additional options with their speed and technology.
Another crucial factor is continuity in the coaching position. After changing from Steffen Baumgart to Merlin Polzin, the team quickly adapted to the new impulses. Polzin relies on an offensive style of play that uses both the individual strengths of the players and stands for attractive football. This clear philosophy and trust in one’s own skills could make the difference in the decisive phases of the season.
In addition, the team shows itself more mentally than in previous years. Setbacks are processed faster and the team presents itself in critical moments and determined. This mental strength, paired with the quality of the squad and a clear tactical orientation, gives hope that the HSV can realize the long -awaited rise this season.
Forecast: Does the HSV 2025 create the climb?
The Hamburger SV is once again in a promising starting position – and this time a lot of mature, well -thought -out and more stable than in previous years. The team is not only individually occupied, but also tactically clearly structured and mentally solid. The new coach Merlin Polzin has managed to bring a fresh wind in without changing the basic orientation. The team plays with courage, conviction and the necessary balance.
However, the competition remains great. With the 1. FC Köln at the top of the table and clubs such as Kaiserslautern, Paderborn or DĂĽsseldorf in the chasing field, the scope for errors is minimal. The last seven game days are a real endurance test – physically and mentally. Every game, every point, every goal can decide on the climb.
Positive from HSV perspective: The remaining program is demanding, but feasible. In addition, the team has shown that it can exist against direct competitors. Players like Selke, Glatzel or Pherai can make the difference in the hot phase – provided they remain healthy and in shape. The fans will also be an important factor in this phase. In the end, support in the Volksparkstadion could be the ZĂĽnglein on the scale.
Despite all the legitimate hope, there is also a healthy dose of skepticism. Too often the HSV was close, just to fail again in the end. The pressure of finally being first class is floating over everything – and it was precisely this pressure that could become a stumbling block when the last days of the game are a nerve test.
Conclusion: The chances have been good for as long. But the HSV has to deliver now – on the square, in the head and throughout the club. Will the year of return to return in 2025? It is in your own hands.
(Tagstotranslate) 2. Bundesliga