Translate to English Holstein Kiel pulls the rip cord: KSV coach Marcel Rapp dismissed

Like. The decision has been made. Holstein Kiel has released coach Marcel Rapp with immediate effect. Those responsible responded to the lack of results. KSV lost 3-1 at Karlsruher SC on Saturday, for the fifth time in a row.

“After a thorough analysis of the sporting development and intensive discussions with my colleagues on the executive board and the supervisory board, we came to the conclusion that a change is needed,” said Managing Director Sport Olaf Rebbe, explaining the decision in the club’s announcement. “Marcel and his team have written KSV history over the past four and a half years. His work, his commitment and his interaction with people was extraordinary and will always be remembered – that’s exactly why this step is very difficult for us.”

Rapp was convinced that the team could stay in the league

Rapp, on the other hand, would have liked to continue, said: “After the upheaval in the summer, we found ourselves in a demanding but, in my opinion, very well-planned development process. I am convinced that we would have successfully mastered the sporting challenges together and made the season stable.”

However, after extensive discussions over the last two days, the decision was against Rapp. This ends an era at KSV Holstein. The Pforzheim native has been on the sidelines for the Störchen since October 2021 and led them to promotion to the Bundesliga in 2024.

Rapp: “Club history was written with promotion to the Bundesliga”

“I look back on my time at Holstein Kiel with great gratitude and equally great conviction,” Rapp continued. “Over the past few years, we have developed a clear sporting identity together, built up structures and made club history with promotion to the Bundesliga. This success was the result of hard, continuous work and strong unity within the entire club.”

He himself has developed enormously at Holstein Kiel. “The experiences of the past few years – especially the development of a team over several seasons – have further strengthened me as a coach,” said Rapp about his only career position so far as a professional coach. “Holstein Kiel will always remain a special club for me and I wish the team much success for the rest of the season and beyond.”

Along with the 46-year-old, assistant coach Alexander Hahn also has to go. The club wants to present a Rapp successor as soon as possible. The training is initially led by Dirk Bremser, also the Storks’ assistant coach.

KN