HSV Star Robert Glatzel Slams Coach Polzin Over Lack of Playing Time, Hints at Summer Exit

Although HSV is not yet deeply embroiled in a relegation battle, a key player has caused a stir.

Robert Glatzel, once celebrated as a promotion hero, has publicly voiced his frustration and incomprehension regarding his minimal playing time under HSV coach Merlin Polzin in a controversial interview.

Despite Davie Selke's departure and new signing Yussuf Poulsen's recurring injuries, the 32-year-old Glatzel finds himself largely sidelined under Polzin, accumulating only 393 minutes of play this season – far too little, in his opinion.

Glatzel described the situation as "maximally frustrating" after being benched for 90 minutes in four consecutive Bundesliga matches. Previously, he had started twice in a row, even providing an assist. He emphasized that the situation "then completely turned around again" and he had "never" experienced such a predicament before, despite being "100 percent fit again."

Due to his difficult situation, Glatzel sought a conversation with Polzin, but the coach's explanations seemingly led to even greater incomprehension. The 32-year-old stated, "Of course, we've already talked about it, and he clearly gave me his reasons. But the fact that I'm not playing at all now is simply not understandable for me." He added, "After the Leverkusen game, I proactively approached the coach and asked for an explanation. He told me his reasons. I don't want to discuss that publicly; those are internal matters. However, why I was then benched for the next two games after that, I cannot understand."

Glatzel Aims to Avoid Stirring Trouble at HSV, But Wants to Leave in Summer

He also rejects the argument that as a classic penalty box striker, he no longer fits into Polzin's preferred system. Glatzel stated, "No, I cannot fully comprehend that. Every coach has a game philosophy, and it has often worked well without me. I can generally assess that there are games where other qualities are needed. But in the three games where I started, I clearly showed that my player profile can help the team." He significantly added, "I'm not on the bench because I played poorly!"

Glatzel emphasized that with the interview, he didn't want to "stir up trouble or put himself above the team," but rather "simply get a few things off his chest and state his position." The most important thing for him is "to keep HSV in the league." However, he is no longer optimistic about his personal situation: "It's rather unlikely that everything will turn 180 degrees for me again."

Although Glatzel has a contract until 2027, he made it clear that he would leave HSV this summer after five years if his situation doesn't change. "I definitely do not want to experience a situation like the one I've had in the last nine months again. That is clear for me."

Glatzel: From Indispensable Goalscorer to Injury as a Turning Point at HSV

Glatzel joined Hamburg from Cardiff City in 2021 for an reported sum of one million euros and established himself as HSV's top scorer in recent years. In the three seasons before their return to the Bundesliga, he shone with excellent goal-scoring rates and also proved to be a strong assist provider. However, in the promotion season, after an outstanding start (7 goals in the first 6 games), he suffered a torn tendon and was sidelined from mid-October to mid-March.

During his injury layoff, Davie Selke took over the role of the primary striker. Despite his severe injury, Glatzel still managed ten goals in 15 league appearances that season. However, for the new season, despite Selke's departure, Polzin rarely relied on Glatzel, preferring faster counter-attacking forwards like Ransford Königsdörffer. In winter, HSV further strengthened their attack by loaning Damion Downs from Southampton and recalling top talent Otto Stange from Elversberg.

Glatzel has only scored two goals so far this season. In the DFB-Pokal, he scored the winning goal as a substitute in the second round against Heidenheim. On matchday 12 against VfB Stuttgart, he made his first Bundesliga start and immediately scored to make it 1-0, but had to be substituted just minutes later due to a muscle fiber tear.