As the 2024-2025 season draws to an exciting close, Hamburger SV finds itself on the cusp of breaking a six-year streak of unsuccessful attempts to return to Germany's top football league, the Bundesliga. With eight games remaining in the season, the situation is looking promising for the club, whose determination to achieve promotion has reignited hope among fans and players alike.
On March 20, 2025, goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes conveyed his optimistic feelings about the team's chances of rising to the Bundesliga. Heuer Fernandes joined Hamburg six years ago from SV Darmstadt 98, and during that time he has witnessed six failed promotion bids. "I feel a special strength, an inner transition within the team," he stated in an interview with Bild. He reiterated the team's commitment: "We give everything to go up."
The 32-year-old goalkeeper attributes much of his faith in success to the new coaching staff headed by Merlin Polzin and Loïc Favé. He noted that Polzin's meticulous preparation has made a significant difference: "You know that before every game, you are well prepared, and little is left to chance. We always have a plan, and that gives us confidence on the pitch."
Under Polzin's direction, who has served as Hamburg's co-trainer since 2020 before taking the helm, the team has only lost once in their last 13 league matches. This impressive performance has propelled Hamburg from eighth place to the top of the table. Sport journalist Cedrick Pick recognized Polzin's effective leadership, stating during a football talk show, "For me, he was the big unknown. He is a nice guy with a lot of football knowledge, but leading such a big club carries tremendous responsibility."
Polzin is not alone in his optimism for the club's future; former national player Gerald Asamoah also voiced his belief in Hamburg's promotion aspirations. "This year, they'll make it," he stated, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the German football community, keenly aware of Hamburg's current form.
Peter Neururer, a seasoned coach and TV expert, highlighted the depth and strength of the current squad, stating, "The team is as well-staffed in breadth and at the top as no other in the second division." He identified the coaching change to Polzin as a pivotal moment this season, emphasizing the necessity for someone who understood the team's challenges during such a sensitive transition period when former coach Steffen Baumgart was dismissed.
Moreover, Neururer pointed out Polzin's strong rapport with the players, noting how his loyalty as a co-trainer helped to secure acceptance within the squad, aiding their recovery from previous crises. Polzin boasts an outstanding points-per-game average of 2.15, the highest of any second division coach.
Hamburger SV currently sits atop the 2. Bundesliga table with an impressive 48 points. Critical to this rise has been their dynamic offensive trio: Davie Selke, who leads the league with 17 goals; Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer with 11 goals; and Robert Glatzel, who recently returned after recovering from a hamstring injury and scored 7 goals in just seven appearances before his setback.
Many see this strong offensive capability as a vital element to achieving the promotion dream. Observing the parallels with 1. FC Köln, who secured promotion in the 2018/19 season, offers a glimmer of hope. Koln's success came through their own powerful attacking lineup and strategic player acquisitions, similar to the strengths evident within this current Hamburg squad.
In the 2018/19 season, Köln's duo Simon Terodde and Jhon Córdoba excelled and served as vital components during their rise, with Terodde netting 29 goals. As Hamburg looks to build on their current momentum, they must not only endure but show consistent talent as they push through the remaining matches with their sights firmly set on achieving Bundesliga status.
As the coming weeks unfold, the urgency mounts for the players; Selke, Königsdörffer, and Glatzel must continue to find the back of the net to keep their promotion ambitions alive. The spirit within the team and the confidence emanating from both the coaching staff and former players underscore a renewed sense of hope for Hamburger SV. As they prepare to combat the pressures of the remainder of the season, one undeniable truth prevails: the prospect of returning to the Bundesliga is closer than it has been in years, and the excitement around Hamburger SV continues to grow.
