Concordia Hamburg in Crisis: Coach Saglam Wins Court Battle, President and Vice Presidents Ousted
A tumultuous period for German football club Concordia Hamburg reached a fever pitch this week, marked by a legal victory for head coach Baris Saglam and the dramatic removal of key club officials during an extraordinary general meeting. The situation, described by one judge as a club “tearing itself apart,” has been fueled by deep internal divisions and a contested dismissal process.
The Hamburg Labour Court heard arguments concerning the legality of Saglam’s dismissal, with the club’s leadership attempting to secure an injunction preventing him from continuing in his role. However, according to reports from the “Hamburger Abendblatt,” the court sided with Saglam, finding that the club had implicitly accepted a continuation of his employment following the initial termination notice. “The plaintiff offered to continue his employment by letter on December 30th, and the defendant accepted this offer through conclusive behavior,” a court spokesperson stated, confirming Saglam’s position as head coach at least until the end of February.
The judge overseeing the case expressed concern over the fractured state of the club’s leadership, noting, “One side says yes, the other side says no. This does not appear very professional. We have not yet encountered a situation at the Labour Court where the employer side behaves in such a way. The situation is exceptional.”
The legal battle unfolded against the backdrop of preparations for an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for February 5th. The meeting was itself subject to dispute, with questions raised regarding its lawful convening. Despite these concerns, the meeting proceeded, resulting in the overwhelming rejection of President Klaus Bohnsack and Vice Presidents Manuel Demir by the 181 members in attendance – a record turnout for the club. Vice President Ali Özünal had already announced his resignation prior to the vote.
The outcome of the meeting represents a significant win for the Saglam camp, but the legal validity of the proceedings remains uncertain. A court spokesperson for the register court indicated that a decision on the legality of the meeting request had not yet been made, casting doubt on the binding nature of the vote. Rumors also circulated that Bohnsack and Demir may have already submitted written resignations before the meeting took place, though this remains unconfirmed.
The situation at Concordia Hamburg remains fluid. While Saglam has secured a temporary reprieve through the courts and enjoys the support of a newly empowered faction within the club, the long-term implications of these events are yet to be seen. The club faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and establishing a stable leadership structure as it navigates a period of considerable uncertainty.
