Bruchhagen to replace Hamburg chairman Beiersdorfer

Hamburg's chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer had been relieved from office and would be replaced by Heribert Bruchhagen, the 'HSV' confirmed in an official statement on Monday.

Hamburg's supervisory committee said it had unanimously recalled Beiersdorfer, and that Bruchhagen would take the helm on Wednesday.

"The HSV unfortunately failed to develop sufficient success and stability, which led to the change in the executive board following many discussions," Hamburg's chairman of the supervisory board Karl Gernandt said.

Hamburg have been struggling to see good results in Germany's top flight in recent years. The 'HSV' have been involved in the relegation battle, but were able to avoid the club's first-ever relegation into the second division in the past three seasons.

"With Heribert Bruchhagen we place the chairman's position into very experienced hands. One of his first tasks will be the signing of a new sporting director, who shall work hand-in-hand with coach Markus Gisdol to push the team forward," Gernandt added.

Bruchhagen has experience in the Bundesliga, having worked for Eintracht Frankfurt since 2003, first as the club's sporting director and then as chairman before he retired in May 2016 to become a TV commentator for Sky Sport.

"This step was certainly unforeseeable after my departure from Frankfurt," the 68-year-old Hamburg chairman-designate said. "I know about Hamburg's sporting situation and I can assess it. We will do everything we can to achieve the objective of staying in the top flight," Bruchhagen added.

Beiersdorfer said that he accepted the decision by the supervisory board, but added he was "of course very disappointed."

The 'Rothosen' currently sit in the 16th place on the table, which is a relegation play-off spot. Hamburg will encounter 11th-placed Mainz in the 15th round of Bundesliga action on Saturday. Endit