Michael Schweikardt: From TVB to national coach at DHB!

Michael Schweikardt: From TVB to national coach at DHB!

A new wind is blowing in German handball: Michael Schweikardt will take over responsibility as head national coach of the male youth team at the German Handball Federation (DHB) from September 1, 2025. This was revealed in a recent interview where he discussed the challenges and opportunities of his new position. Schweikardt was previously a coach at the first division handball team TVB Stuttgart, where his job came to a surprising end. The TVB and he separated at the beginning of November 2024 after the club started the 2024/25 season with 2:18 points. A bitter pill that Schweikardt now wants to leave behind in order to attack the DHB's youth sector with fresh enthusiasm.

His impressive career as a player began at TV Bittenfeld, where he celebrated promotion to the Baden-Württemberg Oberliga in 2003. After moving to Frisch Auf Göppingen, where he was named Player of the Year in the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons, his path led him to MT Melsungen. However, in the 2014/15 season he returned to Bittenfeld and was ultimately able to celebrate promotion to the Bundesliga with the TVB. In his active career, Schweikardt played a whopping 427 Bundesliga games and scored 944 goals.

A new beginning in the DHB

Schweikardt is optimistic about his new tasks in the DHB. He emphasizes that working with young talent is one of the key points for the future of German handball. “The foundation is crucial for success at an international level,” he explains. His A license, which he acquired as a handball coach, is a valuable basis for his new challenge.

The German Handball Association, which is currently headed by Alfreð Gíslason for the men and Markus Gaugisch for the women, has set itself the goal of fully exploiting the potential in the youth sector. He is currently not the only coach looking forward to a new beginning, as his takeover will mean a new focus on talent in order to prepare them as best as possible for the big challenges in the adult sector. The history of the national coaches shows that there have been many successful coaches who have shaped the game of handball in Germany. Schweikardt will now continue this tradition as he wants to set the course so that future generations can also be successful in German handball.

Reflection and outlook

Looking back on his time at TVB Stuttgart, Schweikardt is thoughtful. "It was an instructive time that gave me a lot of experience. Now I'm looking forward to bringing my ideas and concepts to the youth team," said the 1.90 m tall coach, who previously started as a left winger and later acted as a playmaker in the center back position. From September it will become clear what progress he can make in the DHB and what talents he will tease out of German handball.

The challenges are great, but Schweikardt has a good knack for handball and the will to get the best out of his protégés. The next few months could be crucial in shaping the handball sports landscape in Germany. Because one thing is certain: strong young talent is the key to success for every national team.