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After negative race
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Urs Fischer and 1. FC Union are splitting up
An era ends at 1. FC Union Berlin: coach Urs Fischer leaves the club after five years. After 14 games without a win, the Iron Men are in last place in the Bundesliga.
Union Berlin press conference from 1:50 pm on rbb|24 live stream
Urs Fischer is no longer coach of 1. FC Union Berlin. Switzerland and Union Berlin are going their separate ways after more than five years together. According to the club, Fischer and club president Dirk Zingler mutually agreed on this on Monday. The club officially announced the decision this Wednesday morning. Zingler had only informed the team shortly before.
Fischer: “The last few weeks have consumed a lot of energy”
After five successful seasons with promotion to the Bundesliga and three eliminations from international competitions, the Unioners face relegation this season. Last weekend’s 4-0 defeat was Union’s 14th consecutive winless game.
“The last few weeks have consumed a lot of energy. We tried a lot, the team invested a lot, but it didn’t yield results,” the club quoted Fischer as saying in a statement. Together we came to the conclusion that now is the time to follow a different path, explained Zingler.
With Fischer, his assistant coach Markus Hoffmann also leaves 1. FC Union. Union Under-19 coach Marco Grote will be interim coach until further notice. He is supported by assistant coach Marie-Louise Eta.
Crash on the third journey
After the Union had started the season perfectly with victories over Astoria Walldorf (4:0, DFB Cup), Mainz (4:1, Bundesliga) and Darmstadt (4:2, Bundesliga), the slump followed. The team has not managed to win a game since the 3-0 defeat to Leipzig on September 3rd.
It was also at this time that we were eliminated from the DFB Cup and the Champions League. Since the 4-0 defeat at Leverkusen last Sunday, Union Berlin are in 18th place in the championship. “When you play in a relegation battle, you need a different body language, a different mentality,” said Fischer after the game in which his team had no chance.
Apparently that was also why Fischer came to the conclusion that he was no longer the right coach for Union’s goals this season. On Wednesday, he said: “Sometimes a different face, a different way of approaching a team helps spark development.”
Fischer leaves in peace
During Urs Fischer’s time at 1. FC Union, the club celebrated some of the biggest successes in the club’s history. After promotion in May 2019, Union established themselves in the Bundesliga. After qualifying for the Conference League and the Europa League, Union managed to qualify for the Champions League, the most important club competition in European football, at the end of last season. Fischer was then named Coach of the Year in the “kicker” journalists’ poll.
Fischer has now said that he would like to thank the players, his coaching staff, the club and the fans for this successful period. And: “I wish Union nothing but the best and I am convinced they will be able to stay in the league.” Club president Zingler also thanked Fischer for his “always respectful and trusting cooperation.” Zingler also said: “As painful as this separation is – Urs Fischer leaves as a friend who will be welcomed by us with open arms at all times.”
Broadcast: rbb24, November 15, 2023, 6pm
