HSV confirms interim coach Rodolfo Cardoso as permanent head of women's team
The Argentinian, who took over in mid-April and led the promoted team to safety in the Frauen-Bundesliga, has been given the job on a permanent basis.
Rodolfo Cardoso will continue as head coach of the Hamburger SV women's football team next season, the club announced on Saturday. The 57-year-old former HSV midfielder, who stepped in as interim in mid-April after Liese Brancao’s departure, guided the Bundesliga newcomers to survival in the last four matches of the campaign.
The appointment
Cardoso’s permanent status comes after a reassessment by the club’s leadership. Sporting director Kathleen Krüger and Christoph Rohmer, director of the youth performance centre and sports strategy, initially planned to hire a new coach. Instead, they opted for continuity.
Rodolfo has stabilised the team in a difficult situation, given them new self-confidence and, together with his coaching staff, initiated this very positive development.
Kruger said Cardoso and his staff bring the technical quality, experience and persuasiveness needed for the next step in the team’s and the club’s women’s football project.
Cardoso’s background
A former Argentina international, Cardoso played 157 matches for HSV’s men’s team as a playmaker before spending years in the club’s youth setup. He also served as co-trainer and interim coach of the men’s side. The new role marks his full-time move into women’s football.
We want to form a team that is ready to work for each other and want to improve every day. Exactly this mentality we need in order to survive in the Bundesliga again.
Coaching staff
Cardoso will be assisted by a four-person team. Co-trainer Eren Sen has extended his contract, while Phil Nabaoui remains as the other co-trainer, and Felix Kleist stays on as fitness coach.
