FC St. Pauli Start Preseason, Blessin Likely Out, Rapp Linked

FC St. Pauli start preseason on 21 June with mandatory fitness tests. Head coach Alexander Blessin is expected to leave the Kiez club. Marcel Rapp has been named as a possible replacement, though no official announcement has been made. The fitness tests mark the start of the squad's preparation for the upcoming season. They will be used to gauge player conditioning ahead of competitive fixtures. Blessin's exit is considered almost certain as the club begins pre‑season. The certainty of his departure was highlighted in club statements. Marcel Rapp, a Swabian from Bad Homburg, is being linked to the vacancy. His potential appointment would follow the expected dismissal of Blessin. No formal statement confirming either Blessin's departure or Rapp's hiring has been released. The club is expected to announce the new head coach in the coming weeks. St. Pauli will aim to have the coaching decision settled before the first league match. The timing will influence the squad's final preparations for the campaign.