Hamburger SV: The Return of the Red Shorts

In a surprise statement, German side Hamburger SV have appointed Thomas Tuchel as head coach with immediate affect on a two-year contract. The former Mainz manager has replaced Mirko Slomka at the Imtech Arena, whom was expected to still be in charge at the start of the forthcoming Bundesliga season. The statement, which was released out of the blue, thanked Slomka for his short period at the club before welcoming the new coach.

Following a disastrous start to last years Bundesliga season under Bert van Marwijk, Slomka replaced the Dutchman in February with the hope of keeping Hamburg in the top flight of German football. In Slomka's 15 league games he spent at the club, he recorded just 3 victories, 4 draws and 8 losses. After finishing a poor 16th, Hamburg faced Greuther Furth in a relegation-promotion play-off and eventually won on away goals to cement their place in the Bundesliga.

Despite losing key player Hakan Calhanoglu earlier this summer, Slomnka had been praised in the press for his transfer dealings as he secured the permanent transfer of striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga as well as the signatures of Valon Behrami and Nicolai Muller among others.



Sources close to the club are reporting that 39-year-old Tuchel has been given the tough task of challenging for a Europa League spot next season. The German manager led Mainz, whom he left earlier this summer, to 7th place last season which secured them a European spot.

After being appointed as head coach at Mainz in August of 2009, Tuchel led the club to an impressive 9th place in their first season back in the Bundesliga. In the following season, Mainz threatened the dominant forces of German football by finishing an unexpected 5th before two successive 13th placed finishes. Notable form in the second half of last season led to both Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen courting the former Stuttgarter Kickers player.

"I am glad to be back in German football," said Tuchel upon his unveiling. "It hasn't been long since I left Mainz but I am happy to take up this new challenge and showcase what I have to offer to a different audience. I had several enjoyable years at Mainz but now I am moving onto the next chapter of my career here at Hamburg. It is a huge club with an illustrious history in both domestic and European football which I hope I can add to in the forthcoming years."

Great start mate. Look forward to more and seeing how he Tuchel does. Very highly rated by many in the game!!

Hamburger SV have signed a football partnership with American club Chicago Fire. The agreement will see Hamburg and Chicago share coaching expertise and techniques, alongside promoting each other in their respective markets.

Chicago Fire's only Major League Soccer success came in their inaugural season of 1998. The club also boasts an MLS Supporters' Shield, four US Cups and the same number of Brimstone Cups.

Interest in the major European leagues is at an all-time high in the US after a surge of popularity in the sport. Several MLS teams are studying and analysing their European counterparts in order to make their club more efficient and successful. Montreal Impact, in particular, studied European stadia in the process of planning for their Saputo Stadium.

As part of the deal, Hamburg will be able to send players on loan to Chicago at any point. The players wages will be paid, in full, by his parent club. The German outfit also have first option to purchase players from Chicago whilst the American side will host an annual friendly between the two clubs - rumoured to be held in January.

"This deal gives us the perfect opportunity to learn from our European counterparts," said Chicago Fire's Technical Director, Brian Bliss. "Through this partnership, we hope to share best practices for our coaches as well as expanding our brand in the European market."

AndySams10: Thanks for your support!

New head coach Thomas Tuchel has made his first moves in the transfer market since joining Hamburg. Peruvian midfielder Rafael Guarderas has joined the club alongside 21-year-old Yann-Erik de Lanlay.

Rafael Guarderas, who usually plays in the hole between defence and midfield, has left Peruvian club Universitario de Deporters to join Tuchel at Hamburg. The 19-year-old has joined the German side for a reported fee of €600,000 and has immediately joined up with the first-team. The 5'9" Peruvian played just twice for Universitario's first-team in two years, but already has as many international caps.

"Rafael has a big future ahead of him," said Tuchel. "He's joined on an inexpensive deal and will add cover for the first-team which is what we need right now. I'm sure that at times throughout the year he will be required to play a few games and he's already looking forward to it. At this moment I think it's important that we don't rush Rafael in his progression, however, as it is tough to adjust to German football after moving from South America."



Norwegian midfielder Yann-Erick de Lanlay is Tuchel's second purchase of the summer after he joined from Viking FK of the Tippeligaen. The 21-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan back at Viking, however, after joining for a confirmed deal worth €425,000. The youngster is currently midway through his third impressive season with Viking after already making almost 80 first-team appearances, as well as gaining 2 international caps for Norway.

"Yann-Erik is another player with a fantastic chance to become one of the best players there is. He's had a lot of experience for someone of such a tender age and that will help him massively. As part of the deal to bring him here, he will remain at Viking until the end of their season which will see him join us fully in January."

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Friendly | Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion
Saturday 6th July 2013

SK Rapid Wien 0-1 Hamburg
MOTM: Marcell Jansen
Gojko Kacar

Friendly | Generali-Arena
Wednesday 10th July 2013

FK Austria Wien 2-2 Hamburg
MOTM: Rafael van der Vaart
Jacques Zoua, Rafael van der Vaart

Friendly | Jan Breydelstadion
Monday 15th July 2013

Club Brugge 1-2 Hamburg
MOTM: Dennis Diekmeier
Dennis Diekmeier, Artjoms Rudnevs

Friendly | Jan Breydelstadion
Friday 19th July 2013

Cercle Brugge 0-2 Hamburg
MOTM: Milan Badelj
Milan Badelj, Pierre-Michel Lasogga

Friendly | Stade Maurice Defrasne
Tuesday 23rd July 2013

Standard Liege 0-5 Hamburg
MOTM: Rafael van der Vaart
Jacques Zoua (x2), Rafael van der Vaart (x3)

Friendly | Armand Melisstadion
Saturday 27th July 2013

Dessel 0-1 Hamburg
MOTM: Heiko Westermann
Heiko Westermann

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Hamburg enjoyed a fairly successful pre-season tour of Austria and Belgium. With 6 games scheduled, Tuchel's men won 5 and drew 1 - scoring an impressive 13 whilst conceding just 3 times. Perhaps the German outfits best performance came in the game which was predicted to be toughest against Belgian side Standard Liege.

Die Rothosen started their pre-season in the Austrian capital, Vienna. SK Rapid Wien would play host in the first game before city rivals FK Austria Wien would take on Hamburg in the second. The German outfit dominated Rapid throughout the game on both attempts and possession, with the only goal of the game coming from Serbian midfielder Gojko Kacar. Hamburg's forward line left a lot to be desired after several poor attempts meaning the victory was built on a strong defence and midfield.

The game against Austria Wien, the Austrian Bundesliga's holders, proved to be a more exciting encounter. The visitors twice took the lead and had it not been for Czech goalkeeper Jaroslab Drobny, Hamburg may have conceded a few more with Austria Wien dominating much of the game despite Jacques Zoua giving his side the lead within the first minute.

North Belgium was the next destination for Hamburg as they faced consecutive games against city rivals, with Club Burgge and Cercle Brugge up next. In the first of the two games, Club Brugge provided little competition despite scoring a late consolation. Tuchel's team impressed both in possession and in front of goal, despite an experimental side being named.

Another dominating display against Cercle Brugge meant Hamburg left the city of Bruges ultimately victorious. Two first-half goals secured a victory which was never in doubt as the hosts failed to produce a single attempt on goal.

Standard Liege were the next team to host Hamburg in the German outfits penultimate game of pre-season. A brilliant first-half display by Die Rothosen allowed them to go in 4-0 to the good at half-time. Cameroonian striker Jacques Zoua added a 5th in the second-half.

In the final game of pre-season, Thomas Tuchel named an experimental starting eleven to face Proximus League side Dessel Sport. Hamburg dominated the whole game in terms of possession and chances but only managed to secure the victory after a Heiko Westermann header.

2014-08-23 13:39#191522 Jason :

Two youngsters join Hamburg

New head coach Thomas Tuchel has made his first moves in the transfer market since joining Hamburg. Peruvian midfielder Rafael Guarderas has joined the club alongside 21-year-old Yann-Erik de Lanlay.

Rafael Guarderas, who usually plays in the hole between defence and midfield, has left Peruvian club Universitario de Deporters to join Tuchel at Hamburg. The 19-year-old has joined the German side for a reported fee of €600,000 and has immediately joined up with the first-team. The 5'9" Peruvian played just twice for Universitario's first-team in two years, but already has as many international caps.

"Rafael has a big future ahead of him," said Tuchel. "He's joined on an inexpensive deal and will add cover for the first-team which is what we need right now. I'm sure that at times throughout the year he will be required to play a few games and he's already looking forward to it. At this moment I think it's important that we don't rush Rafael in his progression, however, as it is tough to adjust to German football after moving from South America."



Norwegian midfielder Yann-Erick de Lanlay is Tuchel's second purchase of the summer after he joined from Viking FK of the Tippeligaen. The 21-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan back at Viking, however, after joining for a confirmed deal worth €425,000. The youngster is currently midway through his third impressive season with Viking after already making almost 80 first-team appearances, as well as gaining 2 international caps for Norway.

"Yann-Erik is another player with a fantastic chance to become one of the best players there is. He's had a lot of experience for someone of such a tender age and that will help him massively. As part of the deal to bring him here, he will remain at Viking until the end of their season which will see him join us fully in January."

Great start. Yann-Erik de Lanlay becomes very good. I trained him into a central midfielder in my Southampton save and he averages 7.2 per game. Hope he improves in his loan spell.

Goonerous: Thanks! I've never had him on an FM save before, but he looks to have a bright future! I didn't have space for him in my team (which would benefit him, at least) so it was worth letting him spend the season back at home!

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his third signing at Hamburger SV since taking over as head coach earlier this summer.

Former New England Revolution striker Juan Agudelo has been confirmed as Hamburg's third summer signing. The 20-year-old has joined on a three-year deal reported to be worth almost €10,000 per week after being a free agent. Agudelo, whom also formerly played in the colours of the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA, has 18 international caps with two goals. Media outlets across the US are reporting that several MLS sides are interested in taking the 6'1" forward on loan, although there is no official confirmation of such talks having taken place.

Upon the players unveiling, Tuchel said: "Juan is someone who can really provide us with a bit of flair and place. He's still only young but has a lot of experience both at club level and international level. For now Juan will provide us with something of the bench when we're in need of something a little different, but there's nothing preventing him from earning a place in the starting eleven."



Czech Republic international Petr Jiracek is the first player to leave on a permanent deal since Tuchel took charge at the Imtech Arena. The 27-year-old midfielder has joined French side Lille for a fee worth around €3.5 million to Hamburg. Despite representing his country 23 times and being an ever-present in the Hamburg team last season, Jiracek was reportedly told he could leave the club early in the transfer window.

"Petr is a player with a lot of experience in competitive games," said Tuchel once the sale was officially announced. "But after evaluating the squad here at Hamburg, I felt we had sufficient numbers in midfield after the arrival of Rafael [Guarderas] and Petr's wages were becoming a small issue. Rene [Girard] contacted me just a few days ago saying he was keen to secure Petr's signature and the deal was completed relatively smoothly."

Great updates mate. Look forward to when the season begins. Keep up the good work.