Promotion hopefuls Hamburg have reacted to the team's "inconsistent performances in the second half of the season" by dismissing head coach Tim Walter with immediate effect.

HSV are currently third in the Bundesliga 2 standings on 37 points, two behind Holstein Kiel and five adrift of leaders and city rivals St. Pauli. 

However, despite that promising position, a 4-3 defeat at home to Hannover on Friday - Hamburg's second loss by that scoreline in the space of two weeks - proved to be the final straw.

Watch: Walter's last game in charge against Hannover

"HSV have reacted to the team's inconsistent performances in the second half of the season by relieving head coach Tim Walter and his assistants Julian Hübner and Filip Tapalovic of their duties with immediate effect," read a statement on the club website.

"Merlin Polzin will take charge of training and the upcoming away game on Saturday (17 February) on an interim basis."

Walter took over the reins in July 2021 and led the team to back-to-back third-placed finishes in 2022 and 2023 as HSV endeavored to return to the Bundesliga following their first-ever relegation in 201/18.

However, play-off defeats against Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart have kept them in Bundesliga 2 so far. With the club eager to get back to the top flight as soon as possible, the move to replace Walter was taken with a view to "not put our aims for this season in danger," according to HSV head of sport Jonas Boldt. 

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