"Axe" Hollerbach might be Hamburg's last ray of hope

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Trying to prevent the Hamburg SV from relegation might not be a job every coach is dreaming of. Six coaches within four and a half years failed in their attempt to gain stability while internal turbulences regularly hit the club.

Fans and members seem to have lost faith in their clubs future. To appoint a former player and identification figure like Bernd Hollerbach is seen as a last desperate act.

The 48-year-old might not be the first choice among German coaches. As a player, the Wuerzburg-born former defender stood for rough football style. In 222 games he saw 95 yellow cards. Hollerbach was far from what you call a shining star, but one of his famous statements as a player is still entertaining fans. "It's either the ball or the opponent that might get past me, but never both at the same time," he said.

His nickname as a player is speaking for itself as he was called the "Holler-Axe."

When taking over the most challenging job in German football this Monday Hollerbach expressed unbreakable optimism as his mentor Felix Magath did. For five years Hollerbach was Magath's assistant coach in Wolfsburg and Schalke. In 2009 both won the German title with Wolfsburg.

"I am sure Hamburg will have nothing to do with relegation now," the former Shandong Luneng coach Magath commented. "The team will benefit from strict and clear coaching."

Despite Magath's optimism, the task couldn't be more challenging. "I think I don't need to introduce myself," Hollerbach emphasized while a broad smile went over his face. From 1996 to 2004 he was Hamburg's unforgotten hard-lining left-back.

"I am sure we will be successful in the end. As a player I was known to always work with full power, that's what I intend to do as a coach as well," Hollerbach commented. He mentioned unity, order, and discipline as his main topics.

Hamburg's new ray of hope caused attention among football experts when he managed to lead the amateur club of Wuerzburger Kickers from the fourth division to the second division. Other than his predecessor Markus Gisdol, who got the sack last Sunday morning, the son of a butcher prefers a more cautious game tactic.

"We need to act as a team," Hollerbach stressed in advance of his first game facing RB Leipzig next weekend.

Hamburg's managing director Jens Todt called Hollerbach the right man for a difficult task. "He has proved he can achieve much with less equipment. He stands for discipline, and we think he can inspire the team when it comes to unity and motivation," Todt told German media.

As the fans mood has hit rock bottom after their team dropped back to second last position the side desperately needs encouragement provided by someone who has always been the people's hero and darling. "Guys like him can push our team to the right direction," former German international and Hamburg idol 81-year-old Uwe Seeler commented.

A particular mental factor is not neglected by Hamburg's officials when talking about Hollerbach's rescue mission. `His message: I am one of your kinds. The new coach calls Hamburg his second home, fans have positive memories, and his reputation is the one of an honest, hardworking man.

In the 15 remaining games, the prodigal son has to create a miracle and get fans behind club and team. For Hollerbach the new job is not only a great chance to establish in the first row of German coaching but an affair of the heart.

Only a few though expect the HSV not to keep his entire mind busy until the end of the season. Even the parental butcher's shop will have to wait. Bernd Hollerbach once promised his father to take over his parent's yard when his father retires. Enditem