Stefan Horngacher will step down as head coach of the German ski jumping team following the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, bringing an end toโค his โtenure that beganโข in 2019. The announcement, made by Horngacherโค himself, preempts potential โคdisruption and allowsโฃ for a smooth transition for the athletes.
Horngacher, who succeeded Werner Schuster, previously coached the Polish national team fromโ 2016 to 2019. His leadership has yieldedโ critically important successesโค for Germany, โคmost notably team gold at the 2021 Nordic Ski World Championships in Oberstdorf and Karl Geiger’s individual victory atโฃ the 2020 Ski Flying World Championships in Planica.The decision marksโฃ the closingโ ofโข a careerโฃ circle for Horngacher, whose first world Championship experience came at the 1991 event in โPredazzo – the same location hosting the upcoming Olympics.
“I think it’sโ critically importantโฃ that I communicate this beforeโ the season starts, so there aren’t any โขcritical questions during it – it’s also easier for the athletes that way,” Horngacher stated. Heโข added, “For me, a circle closes – my โฃfirst season started at the World Championships in Predazzo in 1991, and now theโ circle closes with the Olympic Winter Games there. after this season, it’s enoughโ for me, at least as German national coach.”
German Sports Director Horst Hรผttel indicated the organization will begin searching for a successor with a target date โof May 1,โ 2026. Hรผttel expressed a desire to retain Horngacher within the German ski jumping system, acknowledging his expertise, while also conceding the possibility ofโ offers fromโค other national teams.