Football: After relegation: FC St. Pauli separates from coach Blessin

According to consistent media reports, Marcel Rapp will be the new coach for the Kiezkickers. The 47-year-old was Holstein Kiel’s coach from 2021 to February 2026. He led the club into the Bundesliga in 2024 and was allowed to stay initially even after direct relegation. When the next relegation to league three threatened, the Kiel team parted ways with Rapp.

“Alex’s qualities as a coach are undisputed; however, after our analysis, we have come to the conclusion that a separation and a fresh start with full conviction are the right way to go this summer,” said sports director Andreas Bornemann, according to the club’s statement.

The relegation battle cost Blessin strength

Two days after the end of the season in mid-May, Blessin had not ruled out tackling the new season with the club. “Working to make amends is definitely an option,” he said at a media roundtable together with President Oke Göttlich and Bornemann. What was striking about the group was that Blessin was wearing private clothing. Ultimately, it would be his last appearance as St. Pauli coach.

The separation was recently announced. The fact that the coach still couldn’t bring himself to commit to FC St. Pauli almost three weeks after relegation apparently caused doubts to grow among those responsible. The Swabian had repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks that the ultimately unsuccessful relegation battle cost him a lot of energy. After the decisive 1:3 against VfL Wolfsburg in the season finale, he seemed exhausted and dejected.

Came as a Belgian Cup winner

After the neighborhood club’s return to the Bundesliga two years ago, Blessin came as the successor to promotion coach Fabian Hürzeler. He was largely unknown in the Bundesliga. The season before he won the Belgian Cup with Union Saint-Gilloise.

Blessin managed to keep the team in the league despite the club’s financially limited resources. The basis for this was a strong defense and team unity. A lot of that was lost this season.

Göttlich and Bornemann always stood by Blessin

The defense looked insecure, the attack was the most harmless in the league. Regulars such as defense chief Hauke ​​Wahl, captain Jackson Irvine and Eric Smith were unable to repeat the form of the previous year for various reasons. New additions such as record purchaser Martijn Kaars did not meet expectations.

In the first half of the season, Hamburg experienced a series of nine defeats, and in the last ten games of the season they only got three points. Nevertheless, Göttlich and Bornemann stuck with Blessin. The coach emphasized that he appreciated the trust.

Even after relegation, the management duo tried to give the impression that they wanted to continue with the coach and that the decision to continue working together rested solely with Blessin.

FC St. Pauli will start preparing for the 2nd Bundesliga on June 26th. Bornemann seems to have found a coach in Rapp. He and the new trainer still have to put together a team.