Kenan Kocak has made his much-anticipated return to SV Sandhausen as the club's head coach, marking his second tenure at the helm of the team. The announcement was made on December 28, 2024, following the departure of Sreto Ristic, who was released from his duties after the team's disappointing results this season.
When approached by SVS President Jürgen Machmeier, Kocak expressed his eagerness to return. "It’s nice to come back to my old place of work. When Jürgen Machmeier contacted me, I didn’t have to think long," said Kocak, who is ready to embrace the challenges awaiting him.
The 43-year-old returns to Sandhausen with significant experience and fond memories, having previously led the club to its best-ever finish of tenth place during the 2016/17 season in the 2. Bundesliga. His time with SV Sandhausen spanned from 2016 to 2019, during which he was responsible for 82 matches. Since leaving, he has had coaching stints at Hannover 96 and most recently at the Turkish club MKE Ankaragücü, where he parted ways just before Christmas.
With the current season seeing SV Sandhausen end the first half at tenth place, the club is eyeing Kocak as the candidate who can instill much-needed tactical discipline and motivate the players. Machmeier emphasized the needs for the new coach by stating, "We have a clear requirement profile for the new trainer: experience, clear tactical planning, the ability to respond during games, and strong leadership within the squad are key factors. Once the door opened for Kenan, we didn’t have to think long. He knows the region, the potential, and the environment of SV Sandhausen well."
The managing director of SV Sandhausen, Volker Piegsa, shared his confidence as well: "With Kenan, we have an experienced coach returning to Hardtwald, who has proven his quality multiple times. We look forward to working together." Kocak is set to begin his new role on January 2, 2025, when the team resumes preparations for the second half of the season.
Upon returning, Kocak remarked on the importance of reconnecting with the club’s culture and its fans. "I had a wonderful time here and want to build on it together with the team and our fans. We have important goals to pursue, which we must chase through hard work and clear strategy," he said, indicating his focus not only on improving team performance but also on rekindling the fan’s enthusiasm.
Looking forward, Kocak is aware of the task at hand. The SV Sandhausen side, struggling after having secured just seven points from their last ten games, is seeking to reverse its fortunes. They currently sit five points behind the third place and ten points away from direct promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.
The team had brief moments of promise at the start of the season, but the struggles of the past months have raised concerns among fans and management alike. Kocak's first priority will be comprehensive analyses of the team's current standing to determine the right steps to re-engage the team effectively. "First, we’ll need to analyze the status quo before determining the right levers to push," Kocak stated.
Many see Kocak's return as more than just about rectifying on-field results; it’s also about restoring hope and enthusiasm among the club’s supporters. Machmeier noted, "The ascent isn’t ruled out, but the focus is on resparking excitement. If we finish fifth but have had remarkable development, it’s just as good as being promoted."
Kocak’s task will be to navigate through the intricacies of revitalizing the team spirit and tactical proficiency required to make significant strides as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
The football community is eager to see how Kocak will revitalize the team, and his deep roots and commitment to Sandhausen could play pivotal roles as the club embarks on this renewed chapter.
