At 1. FC Union Berlin there was great relief after staying in the league at the last second. Image: imago images/Contrast
Dirk Zingler set the course on Saturday. “I’ll probably first let myself get drunk with my friends and my family and with everyone who was involved here,” said the president of 1. FC Union Berlin.
With Jannik Haberer’s goal in the 93rd minute in the 2-1 win over SC Freiburg, the Köpenick team prevented the threatened relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga at the last second. Instead, VfL Bochum is now playing in relegation.
Oliver Ruhnert (l.) and President Dirk Zingler have to find a new coach for Union Berlin. Image: imago images/Matthias Koch
“We’ve had a bad season and have used three coaches. That doesn’t speak for any team,” said captain Christopher Trimmel. And yet Union boss Zingler and sports director Oliver Ruhnert now have to find a coach to train the team in the new season.
The favorite was previously Bo Svensson, who resigned from his position at league rivals Mainz 05 in November. Now, however, another name is being brought into play.
Union Berlin: Bo Svensson is considered the favorite as the new coach
There were already rumors about the Dane Svensson in November when he announced his departure from Mainz and at the same time Union Berlin and successful coach Urs Fischer went their separate ways.
With the Swiss and numerous well-known newcomers, the Köpenickers started their adventure in the Champions League, But they “never really found each other” as a team, as Trimmel assessed afterwards.
However, Fischer was not followed by Svensson, but surprisingly by the Croatian Nenad Bjelica. He stabilized the team in the meantime, but after seven games without a win, the Iron Men had to worry about staying in the league again on the last match day.
Bo Svensson could become the new coach at 1. FC Union Berlin. Image: dpa / David Inderlied
For the coming season, President Zingler now hopes for a quiet last match day. According to “Bild” The club’s committees met on Whit Monday to decide on a successor.
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Union Berlin: André Breitenreiter could become the new coach
Although Svensson is still considered the favorite, the former Mainz coach is said to have a number of offers. Another candidate is also said to have made an impression on the management team at Union: André Breitenreiter.
And that despite the fact that Huddersfield Town has just been relegated to the third English league. According to “Bild”, however, he was convincing there with a clear game idea and despite a manageable squad, he managed to develop athletically.
André Breitenreiter most recently coached TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. Image: dpa / David Inderlied
In Germany he has previously coached SC Paderborn, Schalke 04 and Hannover 96. He most recently worked at TSG Hoffenheim from summer 2022 to January 2023 before taking over Huddersfield in February of this year.
“I’ve never been treated with such respect, even though we were relegated. Normally I would never go to the third division. But that’s why I’m thinking about it,” the 50-year-old told the Yorkshire Post at the beginning of May.
One thing is clear: “Union-Like” will be played again next season. That means a lot of commitment, will, willingness to run and toughness in duels.
However, which players will succeed with this and who will actually put the squad together are two further construction sites in Berlin-Köpenick. It is certain that Robin Knoche will leave the club, Brenden Aaronson’s loan will end, and Robin Gosens is said to have reached an agreement with Lazio. Kevin Volland’s whereabouts are also considered unlikely.
It is also still unclear whether squad planner Oliver Ruhnert will take over the negotiations with interested teams. There have been repeated rumors about his departure for several months. So far he has avoided making a clear commitment to the club. Zingler, on the other hand, announced Ruhnert’s whereabouts, but the exact position is unclear.
There have been rumors about Toni Kroos’ future for months, but on Tuesday the DFB star himself created facts: at the end of this season he will end his active career.
2024-05-21 16:02:00
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