Hamburg have announced that Merlin Polzin, who has been interim coach since the departure of Stefan Baumgart on 24 November, will remain as head coach for the remainder of the season.

Hamburg's thumping 5-0 Matchday 17 win over Greuther Fürth on Saturday impressed the club's directors, who announced on Sunday that the 34-year-old coach has been entrusted with overseeing the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.

Since Hamburg-native Polzin took the reins in late November, the club has gone undefeated, winning two and drawing two in a run that culminated in Saturday's goalfest.

"In the almost four weeks of our collaboration so far, significant progress has clearly been made, and we want to build on that and keep making progress in 2025," said Hamburg sporting director Stefan Kuntz. "Merlin and his team enjoy the full confidence not only of the players but also of those of us in charge. These are clear arguments in favour of continuing along the path we have taken."

Polzin, in turn, expressed his delight at being allowed to see out the campaign.

"I really enjoy working with the team and the staff, I've always emphasised that," HSV's tactician, who recently obtained the UEFA Pro licence as a coach, said "Now it's about further developing our playing style, which is characterised by bold and determined attacking football and solid defending."

Hamburg sporting director Stefan Kuntz was pleased to hand Merlin Polzin the reins after the side impressed with the 34-year-old as interim boss. - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Jan Prihoda

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Hamburg's results under Polzin have taken the club from northern Germany all the way to third place as they head into the winter break, meaning The Red Shorts, and their new coach, will be full of confidence when they return for training on 2 January ahead of a winter training camp. 

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