Third division club Hansa Rostock have presented a new head coach following their relegation from the 2nd division.

Hansa Rostock have had an eventful few weeks. First, the traditional club had to cope with relegation to the 3rd division, then CEO Robert Marien, squad planner Kevin Meinhardt and coach Mersad Selimbegovic were all dismissed and now a new head coach has been unveiled.

Bernd Hollerbach will take charge of the former Bundesliga club with immediate effect and is expected to lead the club back into the 2nd division. The 54-year-old soccer coach most recently worked in the Jupiler Pro League, the highest division in Belgian soccer, where he coached VV St. Truiden between 2021 and 2023. Before that, the Würzburg native was on the sidelines at Royal Excel Mouscron for one season and was able to save the Belgian first division club from relegation.

Before his stint in Belgium, the former Bundesliga professional also worked as a coach in Germany at Hamburger SV and Würzburger Kickers, which he led from the Bayern regional league to the Bundesliga 2.

“We are delighted that our preferred candidate Bernd Hollerbach has accepted the challenge of a new start in the 3rd division and will become head coach of the Kogge,” explained Amir Shapourzadeh, Director of Professional Football at Hansa Rostock.

“Jürgen Wehlend and I sensed Bernd Hollerbach’s absolute enthusiasm to get stuck in from the outset. He knows the league, has the necessary experience and, with his positive energy, can give a squad the spirit we need here. He is exactly the right man for us, in the right place at the right time. “

I’m looking forward to forming a team that will play a good role in the league with the support of the passionate Hansa fans. The new start is of course a challenge, but if we all pitch in and stick together as much as possible, we can achieve a lot together.

Bernd Hollerbach

“The very trusting and focused discussions with Jürgen Wehlend and Amir Shapourzadeh gave me the good feeling right from the start that I can make a meaningful contribution here to get the Kogge back on track in the third division,” says Bernd Hollerbach.

“I’m looking forward to forming a team that will play a good role in the league with the support of the passionate Hansa fans. The new start is of course a challenge, but if we all pitch in and stick together as much as possible, we can achieve a lot together. “