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29 December 2024

Hannover 96 Appoints André Breitenreiter As New Head Coach

Club looks to regain stability and push for Bundesliga promotion under Breitenreiter's guidance.

Hannover 96 has made headlines with its recent decision to appoint André Breitenreiter as the new head coach, following the dismissal of Stefan Leitl. This change reflects the club's need for renewed direction and consistency as they strive for promotion back to the Bundesliga.

On December 29, 2024, Hannover 96 announced Breitenreiter's return to the helm, just hours after relieving Leitl of his duties. The decision follows the team’s disappointing performance, having secured just one win from their last six matches. With the club currently sitting seventh in the 2. Bundesliga, only two points behind direct promotion spots, Hannover’s leadership recognized the urgency for improvement.

Sport Director Marcus Mann expressed growing concerns over the team's inconsistency during Leitl's tenure. "With regard to the table, we definitely have the connection to the top, but honestly, we haven’t managed real consistency, and we had extreme downturns," he stated, elucidated why they parted ways with Leitl. Mann added, "This step is certainly not an easy decision," indicating the careful consideration behind the move.

Breitenreiter, who previously led Hannover to Bundesliga promotion during his first stint from 2017 to 2019, emphasized his strong connection to the club. “Everybody knows about my special connection to Hannover 96. I am Hannoveran—and as a player and coach, I have had many unforgettable moments with the club,” he remarked, underscoring the deep ties he feels to the team and the city.

Breitenreiter arrives with notable credentials, having secured promotion with Paderborn and winning the Swiss league title with FC Zürich. His ability to maintain high performance levels throughout the season has been proven, making him the ideal choice to galvanize Hannover as they head for the second half of the current season.

The new head coach will be officially introduced on January 2, 2025, during the team’s training kickoff. This will mark Breitenreiter's second time leading the club he knows so well, having played for Hannover earlier in his career, winning the DFB-Pokal in 1992 and witnessing the team through various successes.

Joining Breitenreiter as assistant coach is Thomas Kleine, who has previously worked with him at Huddersfield Town. Kleine, who played for Hannover for one season during the 2007-08 campaign, will support Breitenreiter as they look to infuse the team with fresh energy and strategies.

Hannover’s first match of the second half of the season is scheduled for January 17, 2025, against SSV Jahn Regensburg. Prior to the match, the team will hold training boot camp sessions from January 3 to January 12, 2025, at their training camp located in Turkey.

Mann’s optimism shines through as he reflects on Breitenreiter's familiarity with the club and game strategies. “He knows the club and the environment very well. He has seen all of 96's matches this season and will not require extensive acclimatization. We can and want to tackle the challenge from day one,” stated Mann, setting the stage for what they hope will be a turnaround.

With this pivotal change, Breitenreiter is once again tasked with steering Hannover 96 back toward Bundesliga competition. Die Roten fans await eagerly to see if Breitenreiter can replicate his previous successes and bring stability to the squad for the remainder of the season.