Hamburger SV have appointed club legend Horst Hrubesch as their new Academy Director. The 69 year old former Germany international will join the Bundesliga 2 side with immediate effect.

Hrubesch was one of the key players in the most successful period in the club’s history from 1978 to 1983, while scoring 96 goals in 159 games.

“In the past few years I have been in contact with Horst Hrubesch every now and again and talked to him about football and the development potential of players. He has a huge amount of experience, knows how to reach youth players and on top of it all is a HSV man through and through. I thought it would be negligent to not talk about working with academy players,” said Jonas Boldt, Head of Sports, Hamburger SV in a club release. “We’re very happy that Horst wants to support our idea and our work.”

“During the discussions I got the impression that HSV is now on the right path. In football it’s not about talking in an intelligent manner, it’s about hard work, patience and commitment. Only with those three things can we develop,” said Horst Hrubesch. “Here we have to talk more about football and work more on our game.”

“I will be available as long as this team works hard and with a goal in mind, and I enjoy myself.”

“Youth work is always about being patient. My only requirement and expectation that everyone involved maximise the strengths that they have. If we do that, then we will definitely improve step-by-step,” Hrubesch added.

Hrubesch has most recently worked for the German FA, the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB), in various capacities. He was a youth and senior women’s national team head coach, besides taking over the position of Sporting Director on an interim basis.

The charismatic gaffer has led the Germany U-19 team to the European Championship title in 2008 and a year later the under-21 team whilst also winning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.