Bundesliga
Who is Alexander Blessin?
The St. Pauli coach boasted a track record of creating winning teams before he took up the reins at the Hamburg-based side in 2024 and - having successfully steered the ship to Bundesliga safety - will hope to continue where he left off in a new top-flight campaign. bundesliga.com takes a closer look at Pauli's man in charge ...
Stats correct as of 30 June 2025
Age: 52 (born 28 May, 1973)
Club: St. Pauli
Role: Coach
Country: Germany
Key stats
Blessin arrived at St. Pauli last summer following the departure of their Bundesliga 2 title winning boss Fabian Hürzeler. Pauli's new man joined from Belgian side Union St. Gilloise, where he recorded an impressive 62 per cent winning average.
After starting his coaching career as assistant coach at SV Bonladen in the German lower leagues, Blessin then moved on to coach the youth teams of RB Leipzig, where he joined as assistant manager to the U17 team in 2012. Blessin spent seven years at Leipzig, working for the U17, U19 and reserve sides before leaving to take over as manager at KV Oostende in Belgium in 2019.
After two years at Oostende, where he won Belgium's coach of the year award, the tactician moved on to Genoa. At the time of taking over, Genoa were in 19th place in Serie A and provided and enormous challenge for the coach so early on in his managerial career.
Despite their form improving, the Stuttgart native was unable to keep Genoa in Serie A and he was let go in December of that year.
Despite that setback, Blessin moved on to Union St. Gilloise back in Belgium, where he led the side to first place in the Jupiler Pro League in the 2023-24 season. Although they didn’t manage to win the play-off for the title that season they did win the Belgian Cup, beating Royal Antwerp 1-0 in the final with current Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura leading the line for Blessin’s side.
After his impressive spell back in Belgium, St. Pauli saw Blessin as the ideal replacement for the departing Hürzeler.
Watch: Pauli's point at Frankfurt in 24/25 all but assured them of Bundesliga survival
Coaches a bit like: Julian Nagelsmann
Both coaches are known for their dynamic, modern approach to the game, with an emphasis on high pressing and fluid attacking movements. This preference for high-intensity attacking football is evidenced by the time spent by both coaches at Leipzig, with Blessin being trusted with coaching several youth teams in his seven-year spell there while Nagelsmann was charged with taking the Leipzig project further as head coach between 2019-2021.
Blessin and Nagelsmann also display tactical flexibility, with the latter being known to be able to switch between playing either a back three or a back four, and Blessin being equally adept at using both systems.
Did you know?
Before becoming a coach, Blessin played in each of Germany’s top three leagues as a forward with VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga), Stuttgarter Kickers (Bundesliga 2) and Jahn Regensburg (third division). Blessin also made one appearance in the Turkish Super Lig with Antalyaspor.
What they're saying
“He is a very open guy. He is a great person and talks a lot with the players. On the pitch he is also loud and of course pushes a lot. His system allows for that, of course. He wants a high level of pressing, so you need to be able to push yourself.” - Johannes Eggestein, St. Pauli striker
"With Alexander Blessin, we have been able to gain an internationally experienced coach for FC St. Pauli. He brings a lot of tactical knowledge and has already worked in the top division in Belgium and Italy as well as internationally.” - Andreas Bornemann, St. Pauli sporting director