Hamburg fires Steffen Baumgart as coach after five games without a win

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Former Bundesliga heavyweight Hamburger SV has fired Steffen Baumgart as coach after five games without a win across all competitions.

The second-division club said Sunday it was letting Baumgart go because of a “crisis of performances and results” after the team’s 2-2 draw at home with Schalke on Saturday.

That left Hamburg eighth in the 18-team division, four points behind early leader Paderborn after 13 rounds.

“Steffen gave everything with great passion, energy and commitment right up to the end for HSV. However, our analysis of the current situation and yesterday’s game has once again made it clear that we believe a new impetus is necessary,” Hamburg sporting director Stefan Kuntz said.

The club said Baumgart, who was a Hamburg fan as a child, took the news “calmly” on Sunday morning.

“It was an exciting and very intense time,” the former Cologne coach said. “I remain connected to the club and hope that HSV achieves its goals.”

Hamburg has been bidding to return to the Bundesliga since its demotion from the top flight in 2018. It had been the only ever-present team in the league since it was founded in 1963, earning the nickname “der Dino.”

But every season since relegation has ended in disappointment. Hamburg rival St. Pauli was promoted last season to add to Hamburg fans’ woes.

Baumgart, a former Hansa Rostock and Union Berlin forward, took over as Hamburg coach in February, when the team was third, but ultimately it was unable to improve and finished fourth – one place behind Fortuna Düsseldorf in the promotion playoff spot.

Hamburg said Baumgart’s assistants Rene Wagner and Kevin McKenna were also let go, and that assistant coach Merlin Polzin will prepare the team for its next game at Karlsruher SC.

There was no mention of a permanent successor.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Cologne's head coach Steffen Baumgart reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Cologne and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Cologne, Germany, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Joseph Sua'ali'i, the new star of Australian rugby, was forced off the field because of an injury after a half-hour of the test match against Scotland on Sunday.

Sua'ali'i hurt his right arm tackling Sione Tuipulotu as the Scotland captain attempted to power through Australia's defensive line.

Sua'ali'i received treatment but soon walked off the field at Murrayfield.

The 21-year-old Sua'ali'i switched codes from rugby league last month and was making his second start for the Wallabies. His debut was impressive in the 42-37 win at England two weeks ago.

The score was 7-3 to Scotland at the time of Sua'ali'i's injury.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, right, watches his team during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Australia's Jake Gordon, left, throws the ball after a scrum during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)