SV Darmstadt 98 Appoint New Head Coach

SV Darmstadt 98 has announced Florian Kohfeldt as its new head coach following Torsten Lieberknecht’s resignation.

Kohfeldt, a former manager of Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg, returns to German football after a brief stint in Belgium. The appointment comes as Darmstadt, recently relegated from the Bundesliga, struggles in the 2. Bundesliga, with just one point from four games. Kohfeldt takes over immediately, aiming to stabilise the team and reignite their campaign.

Kohfeldt’s predecessor, Torsten Lieberknecht, who led Darmstadt to promotion in 2023, resigned last weekend following a 4-0 loss to SV Elversberg. Lieberknecht’s departure followed a difficult start to the season, with the team failing to secure a win in its first four matches.

Speaking about the new hire, Darmstadt’s sporting director Paul Fernie said: “Florian meets our desired profile. He brings experience, personality and the know-how to give our team stability and to tap into its potential.” Kohfeldt impressed the club with his “clear plan and passion for the task.”

The length of Kohfeldt’s contract remains undisclosed, but he will lead his first training session on Monday, assisted by Martin Heck, who joins as his assistant coach.

Kohfeldt acknowledged the challenge ahead: “First of all, we need to have lots of individual discussions and get to know the team. Together, we want to ensure that we can regain our sporting stability with courageous football.”

Florian Kohfeldt began coaching with Werder Bremen, overseeing various youth teams from 2006 onwards. He rose to become assistant manager under Viktor Skrypnyk during the 2014-15 season. Kohfeldt took charge of Werder Bremen II in October 2016 before being appointed interim manager of the first team in October 2017 following the dismissal of Alexander Nouri. He was soon confirmed as the permanent manager.

During his time at Bremen, Kohfeldt gained recognition for his tactical acumen. In April 2018, he signed a contract extension through 2021. Another extension followed in July 2019, securing his tenure until 2023. However, Bremen struggled in subsequent seasons, and Kohfeldt was sacked in May 2021.

In October 2021, Kohfeldt took over as manager of VfL Wolfsburg, but his tenure was brief. He was dismissed in May 2022 after less than a year in charge. The 41-year-old last managed Belgian side KAS Eupen but stepped down earlier this year for personal and sporting reasons.

Kohfeldt has now returned to German football as the new head coach of SV Darmstadt 98, tasked with reviving the team’s fortunes in the 2. Bundesliga.

Site Opinion

Florian Kohfeldt’s appointment as head coach of SV Darmstadt 98 presents both opportunities and risks for the club.

On the positive side, Kohfeldt has a strong coaching pedigree, having managed in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg. His tactical flexibility and experience in top-flight football could provide the structure and innovation Darmstadt needs to stabilise after their relegation. Kohfeldt is known for developing young talent, a potential asset for Darmstadt, who may need to tap into their squad’s potential to remain competitive in the 2. Bundesliga.

However, his recent managerial stints have been mixed. At Werder Bremen, despite some initial success, his team struggled, and he was ultimately sacked following a battle against relegation. His tenure at Wolfsburg was similarly short-lived. These experiences raise questions about whether Kohfeldt can consistently manage under pressure.

Kohfeldt’s appointment offers promise, but it will depend on whether he can quickly establish stability and bring fresh energy to a team in need of a turnaround.