Hamburg-based club FC St. Pauli has confirmed the appointment of Marcel Rapp as its new head coach, marking a significant change in leadership following their recent relegation from the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga. The move comes after the departure of Alexander Blessin, who left the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
Alexander Blessin's tenure concluded after St. Pauli finished the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga campaign in 18th place, resulting in their return to the second tier. Sporting director Andreas Bornemann acknowledged Blessin's contributions, stating, "We're grateful to Alex for his excellent and passionate work over the past two years... There's no doubting his qualities as a coach." However, Bornemann clarified that despite Blessin's contract running until summer 2027, an agreement on the club's future direction could not be reached in the wake of relegation, prompting the decision for a fresh start.
Marcel Rapp arrives at the Millerntor with a notable track record, having previously guided Holstein Kiel to promotion to the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga in 2024. He had been out of management since departing Holstein Kiel in February 2026, a period during which his former club faced the threat of relegation to the 3. LigaCompetition·3. Liga in the 2025/26 campaign. His experience in navigating the challenges of the German football pyramid will be crucial for St. Pauli's immediate objectives.
Upon his appointment, Rapp expressed his eagerness for the challenge ahead. "FC St. Pauli represents a very exciting challenge and I'm really looking forward to diving into the pre-season preparations straightaway," Rapp stated. He further added, "It's an ambitious club that has made steady progress over the last few years and I'm eager to play an active part in shaping the next steps at the Kollau training complex and the Millerntor." Rapp also highlighted his familiarity with the stadium and its passionate fanbase from his time with Kiel, anticipating the atmosphere as the home coach.
Andreas Bornemann lauded Rapp's qualities, emphasizing his suitability for the task. "We're delighted to have secured the services of Marcel Rapp as our new head coach. He brings experience at the highest level in Germany and has already demonstrated his ability to build teams and develop players," Bornemann commented. He also outlined the strategic shift required, noting, "We'll have to tweak our approach again in the second division and Marcel impressed us throughout our talks with his ideas, vision and drive."
St. Pauli's 2025/26 BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga season was marked by significant struggles, culminating in their relegation. The team secured only 6 wins, 8 draws, and suffered 20 losses across 34 matches, accumulating a total of 26 points. Their form deteriorated significantly towards the end of the season, with the club losing their last four matches consecutively and failing to secure a win in their final 10 games. On average, St. Pauli scored 0.9 goals per game while conceding 1.76 goals per game.
The immediate implication of these developments is St. Pauli's return to the 2. Bundesliga for the upcoming 2026/27 season. Rapp's appointment signals a clear intent from the club to rebuild and target an immediate return to Germany's top flight, leveraging his proven ability to achieve promotion.
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