Hamburg have already begun summer squad planning for a potential Bundesliga return

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·12 de marzo de 2025

Hamburg have already begun summer squad planning for a potential Bundesliga return

In an interview with Bild, Hamburg sporting director Claus Costa revealed the club has already begun its squad planning with a Bundesliga return in mind.

Hamburg are currently first in the Bundesliga, but are only three points clear of fourth. However, their recent performances, especially against Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend, indicate that this season could be different and HSV could be set to finally return to the Bundesliga after seven seasons in the second division.

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That means Hamburg has to prepare for this potential scenario, so it has already begun preparations. On the squad planning for the Bundesliga, Costa said:

“Unfortunately, we’ve been tested in having to plan a new season on two fronts. The winter has shown that we have solutions and ideas prepared in various departments. Exactly which players we need in the summer depends on the league and potential departures.”

The director was then asked about who could potentially stay or leave if the club do get promoted, Costa revealed:

“Basically, when we signed many of the players we’ve brought in over the past few years, we believed they’d be able to play in the Bundesliga a year later at the latest. Even now, I have a lot of confidence in our team. How we get through the last nine games will be crucial. A successful final spurt can solidify a team and release energy. It would be too early to say who exactly can help us in the Bundesliga next season or where we need to strengthen. When I look at our starting eleven from the weekend, the performance of many players wasn’t so far off that they couldn’t compete in a higher league. And there are good examples, like Heidenheim last year, who comfortably avoided relegation with a nearly identical team.”

Jean-Luc Dompé and Davie Selke’s contracts both expire in the summer and it is said that the Frenchman would only be interested in extending his contract if Hamburg returns to the Bundesliga.

HSV have the third highest squad value in the 2.Bundesliga, via transfermarkt, and are below 1.FC Köln and Hertha Berlin. They were also the third highest spenders in the January window and heavily invested in youth as a potential return to the Bundesliga looms.

GGFN | Jack Meenan