Frank Arnesen targets Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma for new club Hamburg

Frank Arnesen (Getty Images)

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Hamburg‘s new sporting director Frank Arnesen has laid out his ambitions for the club, stating that they have everything in place to return to their glory days as one of the leading teams in both Germany and Europe.

Arnesen, who joins HSV from Chelsea, was speaking in an interview with Kicker, in which he also underlined his confidence in coach Michael Oenning despite a mediocre end to the season in which they won just one of their last eight games.

“When I was active as a player, Hamburg were a top club in Europe. It is my goal to bring Hamburg back there. The city, the environment – everything is here to be a top club. And I have always won something in every club I have been at.

“These are certainly not the happiest of times in Hamburg but I knew that beforehand. It is a challenge for me. And I am certain that with my contacts and intelligence, we can do something here.”

Arnesen was quick to rule out a change of coach despite Michael Oenning’s less than spectacular form since succeeding Armin Veh, with Hamburg notorious for their coaching merry-go-round.

“I have analysed our games under him and those before. The problem was not only these eight matches, it is about the entire season. I am convinced about his work. Despite his record, I have no qualms at all.”

The Dane, who has also worked with PSV, also revealed that he wants to tie down Croatian striker Mladen Petric to a new deal and look for bargains in the transfer market, with Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma under consideration.

“Petric is an outstanding player and we want him to extend his contract,” he added. “And I am sure that we will have a very good team. We will have to bring players in on loan, I have no problem with that. Big transfer fees are out of the question. Bruma is a candidate.”

Hamburg eventually finished eighth in the Bundesliga table.