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HSV report card

Jonathan HardingMay 19, 2014

A disastrous season that ended in relief. Hamburg survived the relegation playoff with two draws, but have plenty of work to do if they are to get back on track next season.

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Bundesliga-Relegationsspiel Mirko Slomka
Image: Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images

Fittingly, it wasn't even a win that kept Hamburg in Germany's top flight. After flattering to deceive in a goalless draw at home against Greuther Fürth in the relegation playoff, Mirko Slomka's never-relegated "dinosaurs" drew 1-1 in Franconia to save themselves from extinction. That cannot mask what has been a disastrous league season for Hamburg though, one where they conceded a monstrous 75 goals and collected only 27 points from 34 games.

Key player

In a team lacking in leadership and quality, there were only two players capable of winning this award. In the end, striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga and his 13 goals were enough to both win the award and keep HSV in the top flight. Without the striker, Hamburg really struggled to be consistent in attack and his short loan spell at the club has seemingly guaranteed him a move elsewhere.

Surprise player

Fußball Bundesliga 24. Spieltag Hamburger SV Eintracht Frankfurt
Calhanoglu has been a star player for Hamburg this seasonImage: Getty Images

With Lasogga taking the best player, attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu showed quality beyond his years to lift Hamburg right when they needed it most. In light of the fading and disgruntled celebrity that captain Rafael van der Vaart has become, the 20-year-old Turk often dragged the club towards victory on his own, scoring 11 goals and assisting four. A move away beckons, but he proved to be more than just a set-piece pony, and Hamburg benefited hugely.

Coach

Perhaps coaches would be a better header. The club's managerial merry-go-round this season certainly did not aid their attempts to stave off bad form. Hamburg struggled under Thorsten Fink and after a brief spell by interim coach Rodolfo Cardoso, Dutchman Bert van Marwijk returned to the Bundesliga. But nine defeats in 15 games saw him swiftly discarded in favor of Mirko Slomka. Despite keeping them in the top flight, the former Hannover coach lost eight of his 13 games and never won away. Some may still question whether he's the right man to stay at the helm.

Defining moment

There were many defensive moments, petty arguments and off-field takeover debates that could have been highlighted, but considering their survival, the sacking of van Marwijk and the hiring of Slomka proved timely. He might not have collected many after arriving, but the 11 points Slomka did pick up were pivotal to the club's survival. The 3-0 win against Dortmund and Westermann's outrageous volley to beat Leverkusen 2-1 are both looking pretty sensational now. Hindsight's a wonderful thing.

Fußball Bundesliga 17. Spieltag Hamburger SV gegen FSV Mainz 05
There will be lots of thinking to do for all involved at Hamburg over the summerImage: picture-alliance/dpa

What's next?

Change, and lots of it. It seems likely that a number of faces will leave the club this summer and Slomka is also far from assured of his own spot. Lasogga returns to Hertha after his loan spell, but seems destined for greater things. Calhanoglu is reportedly on the move to Leverkusen, and with finances creaking, Rafael van der Vaart may have to move. The likes of Jonathan Tah, Dennis Diekmeier, Milan Badelj and Maximilian Besiter also sport a quality worthy of a move, leaving Hamburg with some rebuilding to do. The question of ownership, as well as a look at the effectiveness of sporting director Oliver Kreuzer, places more weight on the club's shoulders.

Grade: F

Saved only by the fact they survived, Hamburg endured a dreadful season. There is a great deal rotten in the state of Hamburg and it will take more than a soliloquy to solve it.