Hamburgs stars pelted by fans after record defeat

09 February 2014 13:17

Hamburg players had missiles hurled at them by the team's fans after the club's 3-0 defeat by Hertha Berlin which heaped further pressure on embattled coach Bert van Marwijk.

Hamburg's defeat on Saturday was a club record sixth straight Bundesliga loss leaving the former European champions second from bottom of the league.

Club chairman Carl-Edgar Jarchow said on Sunday the club will continue to work with ex-Holland coach Van Marwijk, but it is clear that results must improve.

A group of players, including captain Rafael van der Vaart, were pelted with eggs, beer cups and lighters when they went to talk to angry fans outside Hamburg's Imtech Arena on Saturday night.

A group of 250 fans, shouting "fucking millionaires", attacked the players' luxury sports cars and had to be beaten back by police with batons and pepper spray.

"I understand the fans disappointment, but it's not okay when players are attacked. That shakes you to the core," said Van der Vaart.

Van Marwijk, who only took charge in September, has said he will not quit.

"I will not resign, I'm still one hundred percent positive and convinced that we will not go down," said the 61-year-old.

Director of sport Oliver Kreuzer has said there is no problem with the coach.

He insisted Van Marwijk will be on the bench for Wednesday's German Cup quarter-final at home to champions and holders Bayern Munich, as well as Saturday's league match at bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig.

Hamburg's supervisory board are due to meet later on Sunday and Van Marwijk's future is sure to be discussed.

Former club legend Felix Magath, who coached both Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title, has already been contacted by the Hamburg board, according to media reports.

Hamburg capitulated against Hertha, despite Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler saving a first-half penalty, as Tunisia's Sami Allagui scored and Adrian Ramos netted twice.

"Words fail me, that's just sad, its disastrous," said shaken Hamburg centre-back Heiko Westermann.

Left-back Marcell Jansen was also in shock after the defeat.

"I've never experienced such a shitty and depressing situation," he said.

Adler, who faced angry fans after the match in an effort to calm the situation, said it is up to the team to turn things around.

"There's certainly not a magician about to ride up and save us. We have to help ourselves," he said.

Source: AFP