Arnesen appoints himself interim coach at Hamburg

Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen will take over as coach until the club appoint a permanent successor to Michael Oenning.

Rodolfo Cardoso took over in the Hamburg dugout following the sacking of Oenning last month, but under league rules he was not permitted to work for more than a fortnight since he does not hold a suitable coaching licence.

“Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen will temporarily take over the duties of the head coach at HSV and responsibility of training the team,” a club statement said.

“Arnesen will function in the dual role until a suitable candidate is found for the coaching job.”

The 55-year-old Dane said: “I will fill the role until the coach is found because that is the best for HSV.

“I went through all the possible alternatives and came to the realisation that the right coach for HSV is currently not available.

“I must also feel that he is suitable, that he can make our team better and that I can work with him.

“I want to have the coach who is best for HSV and not take the second or third choice, just so we have a solution.”

Arnesen was tight-lipped on possible contenders for the full-time role.

“I do not want to talk about candidates,” he said. “I have a dual role, which I will fill for as long as it needs to be filled.

“Of course this also means a risk for me. I am responsible and I have to be judged. But if there is a benefit for HSV, I’m willing to take that risk.”