World Cup 2010 South Africa Blog

Hamburg    27-04-2010

Hamburger SV have sacked head coach Bruno Labbadia in the aftermath of the heavy 5-1 league defeat against Hoffenheim.

Labadia is by all accounts a very affable and sympatico coach who has given his best for HSV – but this has not been enough and the club direction did what they had to do.

HSV have been far from impressive since the winter break and currently sit only seventh in the Bundesliga – and they are a very difficult team to like – believe me I have tried.

HSV play Fulham later this week 2nd of their ‘Europa- Cup’ semi-final, which they enter with a 0-0 home game result of one week ago. The final of the Europa Cup is in Hamburg ……..so it would be shame for them to miss this, having gotten this far – it is their only chance for any trophies this season so hopefully they will get some goals in Fulham.

Fulham looked ‘fulsome’ in the first game – nice team and coach, disciplined and very fair players –but with an irritating habit of not being able to score goals!

HSV have been an absolutely horrible team to watch this season – you might as well take the dog out for a walk. Sometimes good – but mostly very bad – and never just average.

From the back; the goalie – too small and not that intelligent & a fumbler– the defense – erratic at the best of times to just plain horrible; centre-midfield is a combination of one very good older experienced Brazilian who wants out next year and all kinds of well-meaning and hard working youngsters who keep giving the ball away; up front oddly they are not that bad with Petric, Gurerro and now have van Nistelrooy – but he has come too late to really impose any cohesion there – and all this being fed by a non-existent midfield. Sounds horrible and it is horrible – surprising that they have managed to come this far actually.

They have appointed Ricardo Moniz as interim manager until the end of the season. The 45-year-old has worked as youth coach since 2008 – and if it worth anything I wish him well.