Training camp

Baumgart: “Everybody knows what we’re playing for”

HSV head coach Steffen Baumgart spoke to the media about the training camp in Schneverdingen, new signing Daniel Elfadli and his aims for the 2024/25 season.

Steffen Baumgart used the summer break to recharge his batteries, spending time on holiday with his family in Greece and Romania. It’s safe to say that he’s returned full of energy, as is evident on the training pitches in Schneverdingen. The HSV boss is as loud as ever during the team’s sessions at the first of two pre-season training camps. This is the Rostock-born coach’s first pre-season with the Rothosen, though he’s looking to build on some things from the second half of the last campaign as well. The 52-year-old spoke to the media after Tuesday morning’s session about…

…the training camp in Schneverdingen: It’s a good setup here and we can train really well. The lads are happy too. It’s perhaps actually really useful that we’ve gone away right at the start of the season. Every campaign is like a new start and it’s good to spend a lot of time with one another.

…pre-season: We want to build on the positives and cut out the negatives, that’s for sure. Over the first few days we just want to get used to having a ball at our feet again and get back into the swing of things. We want to see the team develop over the course of pre-season, and also improve the team chemistry and determine which players are working particularly well alongside another.

…new signing Daniel Elfadli: He’s somebody that wasn’t just known to HSV’s scouts. Daniel has performed really well and developed as a player with each season. We expect him to show his quality and vision with us. If you take a look at EURO 2024, you can see how many short and simple passes are played in the centre of the pitch and in tight spaces these days – this is something that Daniel is really good at. We have also noticed that we’ve missed somebody with this ability when Jonas Meffert has been unavailable. He can plug that gap, though we’ve not just signed him to put him on the bench. We’ve also got plans where both players can play together.

…the squad: I said last season that I think the squad and team is good, even if we didn’t perform exactly how we wanted to out on the pitch. The transfer window is open until the end of August. We’ve done some great work so far and are working hard behind the scenes, nobody is just sitting back and relaxing. At the same time though, I have to say that we’re really enjoying working with the current squad and the youngsters from the academy.

…keeping key players: We would have liked to keep Laci, but we couldn’t tie him up here. (laughs) However, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to keep players with release clauses. Stefan and I were clear and honest with everybody we spoke to, including Bobby and Ludo, who I probably spoke to last season more than I’ve ever spoken to a player before. I’m therefore happy that nobody triggered their release clauses and they’re still here.

…integrating young players: I would like to take this opportunity to point out that I handed seven academy players a Bundesliga debut during my time with 1. FC Köln. A number of young players have trained with me and then made it to the top. I really enjoy working with younger players. For example, Nicolas Oliveira is someone that I believe can go on to achieve a lot. He’s impressed in all his appearances, both on the left and the right side of the pitch.

…the goalkeepers: Matheo Raab is our number 1 and Daniel Heuer Fernandes is his challenger. If the challenger shows in pre-season that they’re better, then they can become the number 1. Matheo has performed really well. He’s given the team a lot of stability and I therefore don’t see any reason right now to think about a change in goal.

…goals for coming season: Everybody knows what we’re playing for and what our goals are. We want to have a successful season and at HSV that means promotion, there’s no reason to beat around the bush. We know how strong the competition and the league is, but we also know what we’re capable of too.