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Team
12.02.24
Polzin takes training ahead of league game at Hansa
Merlin Polzin led HSV’s training session on Monday afternoon with his usual drive, whilst the 33-year-old was pleased about captain Sebastian Schonlau’s return.
Following head coach Tim Walter’s dismissal, Merlin Polzin took HSV’s first team training session on Monday afternoon (12th February). The Hamburg-born 33-year-old, who joined HSV as assistant coach ahead of the 2020/21 season and has filled this role under several different head coaches since then, has been placed in charge of the Rothosen’s training sessions for the time being and is also responsible for the team’s preparation for the upcoming league game away at Hansa Rostock. Equipped with his whistle, stopwatch and paper like always, the 33-year-old demonstrated his meticulous nature with vocal speeches, clear commands and plenty of love for footballing detail. This has been a common sight for a long time for spectators, as well as for head of sport Jonas Boldt, who watched the training session alongside sporting director Claus Costa after he had earlier explained the reasoning behind changing the coaching set-up in a press conference. “Merlin hasn’t shied away from the responsibility,” Boldt explained. “That didn’t surprise me. He’s a young guy who has developed really well. He didn’t hesitate before saying yes and he told us that he’s got an idea as to how he would like to do things.”
![Contributing their expertise: Sven Höh and Loic Fave (from l. to r.) alongside Merlin Polzin.](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/9/csm_Hoeh_Fave_585_8072a74085.jpg)
Support from Höh and Fave
It was clear that Polzin structured the training session, which lasted for over 90 minutes, around working hard. HSV’s interim head coach will have been pleased to see club captain Sebastian Schonlau complete parts of Tuesday’s training session. Left-back Miro Muheim (load management), midfielder Masaya Okugawa (knee) and Immanuel Pherai (foot) all trained individually. Merlin Polzin was joined by goalkeeper coach Sven Höh and Loic Fave for the duration of the session. It is well known that the former has done a lot of good work with HSV’s shot-stoppers since he began his work with the club in summer 2021, but the latter is a new face on the block. The 31-year-old was named as the head of the team’s academy at the beginning of the year and will assume the role of head coach of the Rothosen’s U21 side for the 2024/25 season. Just like Polzin, he is in the process of acquiring his DFB pro license. Previously, he has served as Timo Schultz’s assistant at FC St. Pauli and FC Basel. The bottom line is that Polzin & Co. have plenty of expertise, fresh energy and well-established skills that will allow them to get the team ready for their next clash against Rostock. The Rothosen’s next two days of training will consist of two sessions each.