Hamburg dismisses Stefan Kuntz over misconduct allegations
Stefan Kuntz, the former striker who helped Germany triumph at Euro 96, has been dismissed from his position on Hamburg’s board following accusations of “inappropriate physical contact” made by a female employee at the Bundesliga club, reports BritPanorama.
The 63-year-old left his role as sporting director on January 2, with Hamburg initially stating he had sought to terminate his contract due to family circumstances.
However, German publication Bild subsequently reported allegations from multiple club employees, leading Hamburg to issue a statement acknowledging the claims as “credible”. The club confirmed that Kuntz consented to his departure after refusing to participate in their investigation into the alleged misconduct.
Hamburg’s supervisory board stated that allegations of serious misconduct were brought to their attention in December 2025, prompting an immediate inquiry with external legal counsel. “After careful examination and the finding that the allegations were credible, the supervisory board promptly decided to seek the quickest possible separation from the board member,” the club said.
The board emphasised their commitment to protecting those who raised concerns, stating it was their paramount consideration throughout the process. Hamburg noted that Kuntz declined multiple opportunities to address the supervisory board regarding the allegations.
Kuntz has strongly rejected all accusations, addressing the matter on Instagram: “First of all I would like to say, the accusations are hitting me hard. It’s clear: I strongly reject these allegations!” He has instructed his legal representatives to pursue action against what he termed “FALSE accusations and prejudices.”
Several Hamburg employees reportedly described Kuntz as a “touchy guy”. The club’s statement also denied suggestions of a coordinated effort against him, labeling claims of a “smear campaign” as “clearly unfounded and misleading”.
Kuntz had served as Hamburg’s sporting director since 2024, previously managing the Turkish national team and Germany’s under-21 side. His tenure is marked by a significant experience in senior football management roles, but allegations of misconduct have now overshadowed his career. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that sports figures face in the complex intersection of personal conduct and public scrutiny.
