On Monday, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim announced that they had parted ways with head coach Markus Gisdol after a poor start to the season. That was largely expected, but Huub Stevens' appointment as the new boss was a decision that shocked everyone.
The 61-year-old will also need to bring in his own coaching staff, after assistant coaches Frank Kaspari and Frank Fröhling were also relieved of their duties. The Dutchman has agreed a one-year deal at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, and has named Alfred Schreuder as one of his new assistants. It is unclear whether or not he will make any more changes to the backroom staff.
So near, yet so far from European qualification
Gisdol took charge in 2013 and, after guiding them to safety that season, began to implement an attacking style of football that had little regard for defensive duties. The two years he was in charge saw Hoffenheim just miss out on European competition, in which a poor Rückrunde normally cost them a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Recent form has been a huge problem, especially in 2015. Six wins in 27 games has represented a real slide down the table and leaves them second-bottom after ten games. His successor, Stevens, narrowly avoided relegation with VfB Stuttgart last year and it seems as if his role will be to stabalise the Sinsheim side this term.
Rosen explains the decision
Speaking on the sacking, Alexander Rosen said: "This obviously wasn’t an easy decision." He went on to add, "However, past success cannot disguise the reality of the current situation." Rosen detailed that the club were "composed and patient, and had faith in Markus’ work" but "something had to happen, as despite those things, the team has been unable to show its quality."
In relation to Stevens, Rosen admitted that the club were pleased to have him on board: "We were convinced that Huub Stevens is the perfect solution after our first talks with him." Stevens' first game will be away to high-flying 1. FC Köln this Saturday.