Hannover 96 has officially parted ways with head coach André Breitenreiter, marking a significant shift in the team's strategy just before the end of the 2024-2025 season. The announcement came on April 23, 2025, following a series of disappointing performances that left the club languishing in the lower half of the 2. Bundesliga table.
Breitenreiter's departure comes just one day after Markus Anfang was dismissed from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, highlighting a turbulent time in German football as clubs scramble to find stability. The decision to part ways was mutual, reached after a candid conversation between the 51-year-old coach and 96-Geschäftsführer Marcus Mann. In the wake of Breitenreiter's exit, co-trainer Lars Barlemann, U19 coach Dirk Lottner, and U17 trainer Christian Schulz will take over the team on an interim basis for the remaining four matches of the season.
Breitenreiter's second stint at Hannover was brief, lasting less than four months. He had taken over the role in late December 2024, succeeding Stefan Leitl, but struggled to replicate the success he had enjoyed during his previous tenure, which saw him lead the team back to the Bundesliga in 2017. This time, however, the team managed only three wins in 13 league matches, a performance that ultimately cost him his job.
Reflecting on his time at the club, Breitenreiter stated, "We were close to making a significant leap in several phases of the second half of the season. Unfortunately, we failed to convert good performances into victories in too many games. It is sometimes like that in football—what’s done is done. I willingly offered to help in the winter, and I believe it is logical and consistent to end our path here, especially as the club wants to realign itself in the summer. I will remain connected to Hannover 96 and wish the club all the best in the future."
Marcus Mann expressed a similar sentiment, noting, "André approached the task with great enthusiasm. He managed to instill a belief in a successful second half of the season. We started well and produced some commendable performances, but we also dropped too many points." The team’s recent form has been alarming, having lost their last three matches, including a 1-3 defeat to Darmstadt, which effectively eliminated their hopes of promotion.
As Hannover 96 looks to the future, Mann indicated that the focus must shift toward the next season. He revealed, "After the results of the past few weeks, it is clear: we must now look towards the new season and will make a change in the coaching position in the summer." Potential candidates for the head coach position include club legend Steven Cherundolo and Lukas Kwasniok, who is set to leave SC Paderborn at the end of the season.
Breitenreiter's exit is not just a reflection of his tenure but also a response to the broader challenges facing Hannover 96. The club, once a Bundesliga mainstay, now finds itself in a precarious position in the second tier, with rising concerns about relegation. The recent string of poor results has seen them slip to tenth place, six points clear of the relegation zone.
In the interim, the newly appointed coaching trio, consisting of Barlemann, Lottner, and Schulz, will aim to restore morale and guide the team through the final stretch of the season. Lottner, who has been with the club’s U19 squad, is particularly noted for his experience and connection to the club, having previously played over 160 Bundesliga matches for FC Köln, where he is regarded as a legend.
As the team prepares for their next match against Köln, Lottner faces the daunting task of lifting spirits after three consecutive losses. The atmosphere around the club has reportedly been tense, with fans and players alike feeling the weight of recent performances. The coaching changes are seen as a necessary step to reignite the team’s competitive edge and foster a renewed sense of hope.
In a league where every point counts, the upcoming games will be crucial not only for the players' morale but also for the future direction of Hannover 96. With the club set to undergo significant changes in the summer, how the team performs in these final matches could set the tone for the next campaign.
As the dust settles on Breitenreiter's departure, one thing is clear: Hannover 96 is at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether the club can reclaim its status as a Bundesliga competitor or continue down a path of uncertainty in the second tier.
