Labbadia wants continuity as takes Hamburg reins

New Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia said Sunday he wanted to be allowed the chance to bring some continuity to the north German giants having Friday become the club’s seventh coach in eight years.

“I am presented with an extraordinary challenge,” said the club’s former striker. “We want to work through continuity,” said Labbadia, stressing he believed the club needed several years “to construct what we want to accomplish here.”

The 43-year-old took over on a three-year contract following the resignation of Dutchman and former Spurs boss Martin Jol, who answered the call of Ajax back in the Netherlands after just one season in charge.

Labbadia, a champion as a player with Kaiserslautern, had been criticised last season as his then side Bayer Leverkusen endured a poor campaign to finish in midtable.

His departure has raised eyebrows among German fans as several coaches, including Jol, Christoph Daum (Cologne) and Felix Magath of surprise champions VfL Wolfsburg, have moved on this summer after only short spells in charge of Bundesliga sides.

Hamburg, who have won six league titles and were European champions in 1983, placed fifth last season and have not lifted a trophy since the German Cup back in 1987.