Two More Years: THW Kiel and Head Coach Filip Jicha Extend Their Collaboration
The reigning German Cup champions, THW Kiel, and head coach Filip Jicha will continue their joint path aimed at bringing the record titleholders’ newly formed team back to the top. Both parties have agreed to extend Jicha’s contract, which was set to expire in the summer, for another two years.
Szilagyi: “Filip is exactly the man we need”
THW Kiel’s managing director Viktor Szilagyi said:
“Filip works with precision and passion around the clock for our THW Kiel. He lives for this club, and with that attitude and his qualities, he is exactly the right man we need. I’m glad that we now have planning security and can continue our successful work together in the spirit of the club.”
Szilagyi emphasized that the head coach position is crucial for the team’s development:
“That’s why we took the necessary time to calmly analyze the present and discuss our visions for the future. I’m happy that Filip and THW Kiel share the same understanding of how to continue the process we started a few years ago.”
Jicha: “Black and white is in my heart”
Filip Jicha added:
“We had long and intensive discussions about the sporting direction, the development of our young team, and the future of THW Kiel. I’m very happy to continue and drive forward the rejuvenation process we started two or three years ago. It gives me incredible joy to work with this team. I carry black and white in my heart, and I’m burning for the challenge of shaping the new THW Kiel so that we can again compete for championships and the Champions League. I’m also glad that both the current players and those who want to join us now have clarity that we will continue this path together.”
About Filip Jicha
Filip Jicha is a true legend of Kiel sports. As a player, the now 43-year-old won everything there is to win in club handball between 2007 and 2015 with THW Kiel. After returning from FC Barcelona in 2018, he joined Kiel’s coaching staff—first serving as assistant to Alfred Gislason, and since the summer of 2019 as head coach.
This partnership has been a story of continued success: under Jicha’s leadership, THW Kiel won the EHF Champions League in 2020, making him the first handball player ever to win the sport’s top club trophy in Cologne both as a player and as a coach. Under his tenure, Kiel captured German championship titles in 2020, 2021, and 2023, DHB Cup victories in 2022 and 2025, and four Super Cup titles.
