The search for a new coach by the second division relegated team once again demonstrated how attractive a third division club like Hansa Rostock is, but also how many coaches are unemployed.

Daniel Brinkmann took over from Bernd Hollerbach at FC Hansa Rostock on November 2, 2024. In his first game as Hansa coach, Brinkmann and his team lost to SC Verl. He wants to get Hansa back in shape during the international break.

Sixty-nine other coaches would have liked to do the same. Amir Shapourzadeh, sporting director in Rostock, revealed to the Ostsee-Zeitung newspaper that there were 70 applicants for the coaching position after Hollerbach was let go, including Brinkmann, who ultimately got the job.

Why did Shapourzadeh choose Brinkmann? His answer: “He has gained sufficient experience in dealing with very young players, but also with established players. Daniel has good qualities, is pragmatic, straightforward, and stress-resistant. He pursues clear ideas and has a high tactical understanding. And: he is a real team player.”

Shapourzadeh continues: “It’s important for a club to have a direction and a clear plan in order to achieve lasting success. We are currently in the process of doing that and are looking at how the areas of athletics, performance, and scouting should look in the future.”

Even though the first game under Brinkmann ended in a 0-1 defeat in Verl, the Hansa officials immediately recognized the new style. Shapourzadeh praised: “The adjustments made by our coaching team paid off immediately. Especially after the half-time talk and tactical changes, we got into the game much better and were close to scoring the opening goal.”

After the international break, the second division relegation side, currently 15th in the table with 16 points, will face Arminia Bielefeld (H). Before the winter break, they will face TSV 1860 Munich (A), SV Sandhausen (H), Energie Cottbus (A), and Hannover 96 II (H).