Marcel Hartel has hinted there was contact over a potential return to FC St. Pauli during the summer transfer window. The 30-year-old midfielder, who helped the club achieve promotion in 2024, now faces his former side with new club Hannover 96 this Saturday.

Hartel moved to MLS side St. Louis after that promotion season but returned to Germany for family reasons this summer, joining Hannover. When asked if there had been talks about a comeback to St. Pauli, he said: "I would have to ask my agent." He added with a smile: "I would claim there was definitely contact."

Focus on the special reunion

Speculation about the past is now secondary for Hartel. His full focus is on the match at the HDI Arena on October 17th. "Put Magdeburg behind us, full focus on St. Pauli," was his brief creed following his team's 3-0 loss to 1. FC Magdeburg. Under new coach Sandro Wagner, Hannover 96 have seven points from seven games and have scored only seven goals so far.

For Hartel, the fixture is a special one. He admitted to immediately marking the date when the schedule was released. "I still know many people there, the staff is largely the same," he said. He remains in contact with former teammates like Eric Smith, Hauke Wahl, and Elias Saad. Even promotion-winning coach Fabian Hürzeler, now an assistant at high-flying Brighton in England, sent him a 'welcome back' message.

If he finds the net, Hartel would not celebrate extravagantly. "I believe I have scored against every former club I've played for so far," he recalled, referencing his 'Goal of the Year' in 2019 for Union Berlin against 1. FC Köln. A similar scene against St. Pauli would be muted out of respect for the club and its fans, though he would still be happy inside. He noted the stark stylistic difference between Hannover's 'Braun-Weiß' and his time at the Millerntor.

FC St. Pauli travel with good momentum. The team is unbeaten in its last five matches (two wins, three draws) and sits 7th in the 2. Bundesliga with 10 points following a 2-0 home win over Karlsruher SC. The current standings and detailed season stats show a solid foundation. The goals in that last match came from Assan Ceesay and Lars Ritzka.

The away game at Hannover 96 is the next step in closing the gap to the leading pack around Hertha BSC, from whom they are currently eleven points adrift. Hartel and Hannover, meanwhile, need to kickstart their hitherto weak attack and improve their league position. The personal reunion on Saturday promises an emotional edge in a match important for both teams' campaigns.

First reported at mopo.de