Bundesliga - Confirmed: St. Pauli brings in Blessin as Hürzeler's successor
FC St. Pauli has found the successor for promotion trainer Fabian Hürzeler: The Hamburg club signed Alexander Blessin. The 51-year-old was under contract with Belgian cup winner and vice champion Royal Union St. Gilloise in the previous season. Blessin will be presented at a press conference in the afternoon.
The preparation of FC St. Pauli for the new season starts on July 8. "With Alexander Blessin, we were able to win an experienced trainer for FC St. Pauli. He brings a lot of tactical knowledge and has already worked in the highest league and internationally in Belgium and Italy," St. Pauli's sporting director Andreas Bornemann was quoted in a press release from the club. There were initially no announcements regarding the transfer fees or the duration of the contract.
The new coach is looking forward to his task with the Kiezkickers: "FC St. Pauli has an incredible pulling power in Germany, but also internationally. The club stands for clear values and ambitious work in professional football. Therefore, it's a great challenge to train the club after its long time in the second league in the Bundesliga."
Background in Stuttgart, Leipzig and Regensburg
FC St. Pauli was looking for a new head coach after Hürzeler's departure to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League to lead the team into the first Bundesliga season after 13 years. Since Blessin still had a contract until 2025 with the Belgians, FC St. Pauli is likely to have to pay a significant transfer fee. The club also paid a transfer fee for Hürzeler's departure.
Blessin was active as a player in his hometown Stuttgart for VfB and Kickers, and as a striker for Jahn Regensburg, VfB Leipzig, Sportfreunde Siegen, and Antalyaspor in Turkey. As a trainer, he worked from 2012 to 2020 in the youth sector at RB Leipzig. He came to KV Oostende and Genoa CFC in 2023. FC St. Pauli is his first head coaching position in German professional football.
Blessin plans to approach the first Bundesliga season of the Hamburgers after 13 years in the second league "with determination in the team and the entire club": "I am incredibly looking forward to challenging the big clubs of the Bundesliga at the Millerntor."
- Alexander Blessin, previously with Belgian cup winner and vice champion Royal Union St. Gilloise, has been signed by FC St. Pauli as Fabian Hürzeler's successor.
- The appointment of Blessin comes after Hürzeler joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League.
- Bornemann, St. Pauli's sporting director, praised Blessin, stating that he brings tactical knowledge and has worked in the highest league and internationally in Belgium and Italy.
- Blessin, who is looking forward to his task, mentioned that FC St. Pauli has an incredible pulling power in Germany and internationally.
- During Hürzeler's departure, FC St. Pauli likely had to pay a significant transfer fee, and similar fees may be involved with Blessin's move, considering he still had a contract until 2025 in Belgium.
- Blessin, who started his career as a player in Stuttgart with VfB and Kickers, eventually moved to Jahn Regensburg, VfB Leipzig, Sportfreunde Siegen, and Antalyaspor in Turkey before transitioning into coaching.
- Blessin's first head coaching position in German professional football will be with FC St. Pauli, and he plans to approach the first Bundesliga season after 13 years in the second league "with determination in the team and the entire club."
