Huub Stevens named new TSG manager

“This obviously wasn’t an easy decision,” said TSG’s director of football Alexander Rosen in regards to the removal of Markus Gisdol. “However, past success cannot disguise the reality of the current situation.” Hoffenheim have won just six of 27 games in the calendar year of 2015 and sit 17th in the Bundesliga table after ten matchdays.

“We have remained composed and patient, and had faith in Markus’ work,” explained Rosen. “But something had to happen, as despite those things, the team has been unable to show its quality.” The disappointing performance in the 1-0 home loss to Hamburger SV on Friday evening was “the final nail in the coffin”.

Markus Gisdol took over on 2nd April 2013 and impressed by steering the club clear of relegation and excited with attacking football in the following season. TSG shareholder Dietmar Hopp has written a letter to Markus Gisdol and his coaching team thanking them for the past two years and spoke of his regret at the “recent developments which made this outcome unavoidable”.

Huub Stevens was most recently in charge of fellow Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart and led them to safety last season. “We were convinced that Huub Stevens is the perfect solution after our first talks with him,” said Rosen. “He doesn’t just have incredible experience with situations like this, but he knows how to pick a team up and inspire them. We want to make the most of those qualities so we can get back on the path to success as quickly as possible. We’re all convinced that the team has the quality to do that,” added Rosen. Stevens’ assistant coach at TSG will be 42-year-old Alfred Schreuder.