Stefan Kuntz is no longer the sporting director of HSV, a Bundesliga team.
Kuntz asked for his work contract to be terminated with effect from December 31, 2025, following the Christmas holidays, according to HSV’s statement. The club didn’t elaborate on the circumstances behind his unexpected departure.
“Sometimes there are more important things than football. That’s the case for me now. I don’t want to say any more about it and ask that this be respected,” explained Kuntz, who took up his board position in May 2024 and led Hamburg to promotion to the Bundesliga in 2025. “I thank HSV for a fantastic year and a half. I wish the teams and the entire office staff all the best for the future.”
Kuntz said the following on Instagram: “It was a great honour for me to be part of this special club.” “Intense, emotional, and characterised by genuine values” is how he defined his time at HSV. Because they represent a lot of my own values, I was most impressed by the distinctive fan culture, the strong social commitment, the living culture of remembering, and the clear position even on challenging matters.” Kuntz thanked him for “everything we experienced together.”
In barely a year and a half, Kuntz has accomplished a lot in Hamburg thanks to promotion, financial recovery, and a club culture that is marked by both practical principles and a desire for success. The club had just lost out on its intended sixth return to the German top division when the 1996 European champion was announced as Jonas Boldt’s replacement.
After splitting with coach Steffen Baumgart six months later, Kuntz promoted Merlin Polzin, who went on to become the campaign’s hero.
At the same time, Kuntz demonstrated a proactive, hands-on attitude while minimising the numerous previous issues around the club. This is another reason why a lot of fans are probably going to be concerned about the news.
especially considering that the renewal of his contract, which ends next summer, has been the main topic of recent media attention. When the team’s training begins on Friday, there haven’t been many obvious signs that Kuntz will be leaving his role as athletic director. It appears that HSV plans to keep using the current employees for the time being.
Supervisory Board Chairman Michael Papenfuß admitted in an interview on the club’s website that “the period between Christmas and New Year’s was very intense and not a gentle end to 2025”: “We have held many discussions in recent days and, with board member Eric Huwer and a strong second management level, we are well positioned for the tasks ahead,” explained Papenfuß, who thanked Kuntz for his work: “Stefan and his team have accomplished a great deal. We wish him all the best for his future.”
After 15 matchdays in the Bundesliga, HSV currently sits in 13th place with 16 points. The team began preparations on Friday for the remaining 19 matches. Their first game after the short winter break is an away match in Freiburg on January 10th (3:30 pm, live on NDR ).
Squad adjustments, which sporting director Claus Costa is primarily responsible for making, should help in achieving survival in the league.
Kuntz’s strong voice and face will be missed in the future. “It’s a challenge, a new situation, but one for which we are prepared,” said Supervisory Board Chairman Papenfuß. A decision on his successor will be made “calmly and thoughtfully.”
