Hamburg fan Parker Rydborn was asked to take stock about the 2017-18 season as he previewed the season in August. Forewarning this from a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. And now from a fan perspective Hamburger SV 2017-18 in review.
As this past season with Hamburg came to a close, it proved nothing lasts forever. On the final day of the season Hamburg was relegated for the first time in the modern Bundesliga Era. 55 Seasons of the club priding themselves on being the only original member of the league never to have been relegated all came to an end.
Although with the difficulties that the Dinosaurs experienced this season, not many were surprised. Injuries, coaching changes, underperforming in the most dire situations, and overall uncertainty had plagued the team most of the season.
The injuries came off and on throughout the season. Although most of their injuries did not last more than a week or two, Winger Nicolai Muller would rupture a knee ligament during his goal celebration against FC Augsburg on opening day. Although his goal was enough to secure 3 points on against the Bavarian Side, Muller would spend all up until the last few weeks of the season on the injured reserves list before being allowed to train with the team again.
Coaching changes and uncertainty about who the right man was for the job became a concern after Markus Gisdol was relieved of his managerial duties. Gisdol had been manager of HSV from 2016 to 2018. After he got the axe former club midfielder Bernd Hollerbach got the call-up to try and rescue his club from its predicament. Hamburg collected just three points from a possible 21 in the league under Bernd Hollerbach. He was a eventually sacked as well. With a possible eye on the future the club’s ownership hired the HSV U-21 coach Christian Titz to take over until the end of the season. But even he could no stop Hamburg’s slide into relegation. The club announced on May 16th that Titz signed a 2-year contract with the club.
Speculation on players futures have been overflowing since the beginning of the offseason. Rumors have surfaced in regards to American International Bobby Wood’s future with Hamburg. Since the season ended there have been talks about him going to MLS in the Summer transfer window. HSV has also signed several players to 2-4 year contracts to strengthen the squad, including 28 Year-Old Midfielder Christoph Moritz from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, and Moritz-Broni Kwarteng has signed his first professional contract until 2021. Hamburg has also been forced to let players go following their relegation. Players that include Andi Hirzel, Sejad Salihovic, Bjarne Thoelke, Sven Schipplock, Luca Waldschmidt, and after 8 Years with the club Dennis Diekmeier.
Hamburg’s future is uncertain at this point, although many have said they will challenge also recently relegated side FC Cologne for the top spot in the 2nd division. Whichever side League fans are confident in, one thing is certain. Their level of competition has changed. As it stands now there will be no Nordderby for HSV next year with their geographical rival Werder Bremen. Something that will be missed by the HSV Loyal. However the return of HSV’s Inner City Derby with St Pauli could draw a lot of fan attention to the Bundesliga 2.
Whatever the circumstances, the fans have shown their loyalty and love for their club without question. They know their clubs mission to get back to where they believe thy belong will not be an easy one. But even with players coming and going whether by choice or not, managerial changes, and the level of competition changed, the fans love their club and the players love their fans. In the days following the Dinosaurs relegation, over 15,000 season tickets have been sold for next season, nine new fan clubs have been founded and 4,000 membership forms have been received. The support that the fans have shown has been nothing short of amazing. It’s a bond like no other in German Football and will continue to be in their quest to get back into the Bundesliga.
