New head coach at Hamburg Sea Devils for new season

Matt Johnson no longer with the Hamburg Sea Devils. Photo: Lobeca/Henning Rohlfs

Hamburg – The Hamburg Sea Devils After a miserable end to the season, they finished bottom of their division. A lot of noise about the team that only managed two wins and had no real home. Now everything is supposed to get better – with Shuan Fatah as the new head coach. The 56-year-old, multiple championship-winning coach, will lead the team in the European League of Football (ELF) next season. At the same time, the team said goodbye to Matt Johnsonwhich brought the “Sea Devils” through the current year.

“The Hamburg Sea Devils and our head coach Matt Johnson are going their separate ways with immediate effect. We thank Matt for his commitment and leadership in the 2024 season. He has accompanied the team with determination in every challenge and laid a solid foundation for the future of our franchise. “We wish him all the best for the future,” said Mark WeitzGeneral Manager of the Hamburg team.

“We need this passion and determination”

With Fatah, one of the most successful coaches in European football is returning to Hamburg. He is not only a four-time World Bowl champion and six-time German Bowl winner, but also a five-time Austrian champion. The Berlin native won the Austrian Football League (AFL) five times with the Swarco Raiders Tirol and has been head coach of the German men’s national team since January last year. “Shuan Fatah not only brings incredible experience, but also the passion and determination that we need to get back to the top of the league,” Weitz continued.

Fatah himself is excited about returning to Hamburg: “As a former special member of the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe, the city of Hamburg and the name Sea Devils have a ring to them and a special meaning for me.” When the request came from Hamburg, it quickly became clear to me that it was time for me to give something back to this city. But I was also aware that a lot of work would await us, but I always follow the motto: ‘If it’s scary to jump in, then that’s exactly when you jump in.'”

“It must be a privilege to wear the Sea Devils helmet again”

Fatah is convinced that Hamburg has the potential to once again become an absolute powerhouse in the ELF: “For me, the city has the best fan base in the entire league, and Hamburg has always celebrated American football like no other city in Germany.” Some of the best players I know come from this city, and I am enthusiastic about this task. It is now up to us to find fellow campaigners who also believe in this vision and who are aware of the great legacy of the Sea Devils name. It must and will once again be a privilege to wear our colors and the Sea Devils helmet for Hamburg.”

After a challenging past season, Fatah will move forward with clear goals: “When you fall, it is important to get up again. For real winners, winning is the top priority.” Even though concrete goals still depend on the team line-up for next year, Fatah remains ambitious: “Basically, I’m always ‘in it to win it’.” With him at the helm, the Sea Devils are optimistic about the future and hope to build on past successes and once again be among the top teams in the ELF in the 2025 season.