Horst Steffen (born 3 March 1969) is a German football coach and a former player. He last managed Werder Bremen.
Steffen began his youth career at Bayer Uerdingen in 1975 and was part of the U19 team that won the German championship in 1987. He made his professional debut for the club in 1988 and played 90 Bundesliga matches until 1991. In 1991, he joined Borussia Mönchengladbach, making 24 competitive appearances over two seasons and scoring once in the 1992âÂÂ93 DFB-Pokal. After limited opportunities under coach Bernd Krauss, he returned to Uerdingen in 1993, where he played for three more years. In 1996, Steffen moved to MSV Duisburg, where he spent three seasons in the Bundesliga (36 matches) and three in the 2. Bundesliga (40 matches).
Steffen made ten appearances for the West Germany U21.
Steffen coached SC Kapellen-Erft, leading them to promotion to the Oberliga Niederrhein in the 2003âÂÂ04 season. He later worked with the U23 and U19 teams at MSV Duisburg, and with Borussia Mönchengladbach's U17 and U19 teams.
On 30 September 2013, he became head coach of 3. Liga side Stuttgarter Kickers. His contract, initially set to run until 2015, was extended but terminated in November 2015 following poor results.
Steffen was appointed head coach of SC PreuÃÂen Münster in December 2015 but was dismissed in October 2016. He later joined Chemnitzer FC for the 2017âÂÂ18 season, but was released in January 2018.
On 29 October 2018, Steffen took over SV Elversberg in the Regionalliga Südwest. He led the club to promotion to the 3. Liga in 2021âÂÂ22 and then to the 2. Bundesliga in 2022âÂÂ23. Under his guidance, the team finished 11th in their debut second-division season and 3rd in the following campaign, narrowly missing out on Bundesliga promotion after losing the play-offs against 1. FC Heidenheim.
On 29 May 2025, Steffen became the head coach of Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen, signing a contract until 2028. He was sacked on 1 February 2026.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
MSV Duisburg
SV Elversberg