Rhein-Neckar Löwen prepares for a course change at the end of the season. This includes parting ways with Sebastian Hinze because of ”different opinions about the sporting concept”, according to the club webpage.
Hinze set RNL up for a somewhat successful path with a trump in the DHB Cup in the spring of 2023 and subsequent bronze awarded season in European League. The league results hasn’t been as prominent and the talks between all involved parties thus leads to Hinze´s departure.
– I regret the decision. I made no secret of the fact that I value Sebastian’s way of working and I like how he identifies so highly with the club.
– I have a trusting relationship with him in which we can always engage in open, honest and also critical dialogue. I have benefited a lot from his extensive experience.
– On the other hand, professional handball is always a sport of results, we are all aware of that. And in terms of results, we have not developed as steadily as we would have liked, especially in the Bundesliga, says Rhein-Neckar Löwen´s future sporting director Uwe Gensheimer to the club webpage.
The club also makes room for Hinze´s input in the statement.
– Here at the Löwen, I am always full of energy and fun at work and I really enjoy being on the court and working with the guys. In order to play with open cards and create clarity, I informed the supervisory board, Holger and Uwe a few weeks ago that I would not be extending my contract because there are different opinions on sports strategy.
– Of course, I can understand that there were also critical voices about the results after the second half of last season. There is understanding on both sides, but it only makes sense to continue working together if there is full trust, says Hinze to the club website.
During what is to be Hinze´s final season with the lions, RNL is ranked seventh in Bundesliga while a convincing win over Fuchse Berlin has brought the team to quarterfinal in DHB-Pokal.
Source: Rhein-Neckar Löwen und Sebastian Hinze einigen sich auf Trennung