Two match days before the end of the season, Union Berlin is pulling the ripcord. Coach Bjelica has to vacate his position after just six months. Marco Grote will take over on an interim basis until the end of the season.
1. FC Union Berlin has parted ways with head coach Nenad Bjelica. The 52-year-old Croatian only took over the position from Urs Fischer in November and has since led the Köpenick team out of the bottom of the Bundesliga table. However, the club is in acute danger of relegation again after matchday 32 and has only won once in the last ten games. Union Berlin is currently in 15th place, one point ahead of the relegation spot.
The Köpenick team announced that Marco Grote will take over as coach on an interim basis until the end of the season. Marie-Louise Eta and Sebastian Bönig support him as assistant coaches. After parting ways with Urs Fischer in the first half of the season, Grote, who has been in charge of the club’s U19s since the 2022/23 season, had already looked after the Iron Men as head coach. Last November, the 51-year-old led FCU to a 1-1 draw against FC Augsburg, ending the negative streak of nine Bundesliga defeats in a row.
This is what Union has to expect in the relegation battle
With two match days before the end of the Bundesliga season, Union Berlin is deep in the bottom of the table. While direct relegation seems unlikely, Köpenick can only avoid relegation games in certain constellations.more
Grote: “I am convinced that we will be able to stay in the league”
“I’m looking forward to the task and am convinced that we will manage to stay in the league. I know our team well and know that with our combined efforts we will be able to get the necessary points,” Grote was quoted as saying in the club’s statement.
President Dirk Zingler said: “In the fight to stay in the Bundesliga, we need the strength of the entire club and of course that of our team. We trust Marco Grote and his team to lead our players back to their performance limits in the remaining games “I would like to thank Nenad Bjelica and his team for the work they have done. They managed to stabilize the team in an extremely difficult situation, with the result that we can stay in the league on our own.”
Unfocused Unioners on the brink
Union Berlin is sliding ever deeper into the relegation vortex of the Bundesliga. The team also failed to concentrate against VfL Bochum. A good change from coach Nenad Bjelica comes too late. By Till Oppermannmore
Signs increased – protagonists contradicted each other
After “Kicker” reported last week about a separation that had been decided in the summer, Bjelica’s advisor Alen Augustincic expressed surprise to the TV channel Sky. “The fact is: We have no knowledge yet that Nenad may have to leave Union Berlin early or at the end of the season. Union Berlin has not yet spoken to us about this,” Augustincic said at the time. He assured: “Nenad gives everything for Union.”
Union President Dirk Zingler also told DAZN before the game against Bochum: “Nenad Bjelica has our full support. We are not affected by what is written or said outside the club. Between us, who bear responsibility in the club, and the team only what we say to each other and we are relatively clear about that.”
Stabilized (temporarily), yes, but not developed
So now the about-face. The Berliners initially stabilized under Bjelica. However, criticism increased about a lack of playful development. The team was often too harmless, especially in attack. There is also said to be internal criticism of his preparation, for example his lack of video analysis.
The Croatian caused a stir in January with his outburst against FC Bayern player Leroy Sané, who he roughly grabbed in the face twice on the sideline. The Croatian then had to watch three games from the stands. A separation was already being discussed back then, but Bjelica was allowed to stay.
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, May 6, 2024, 3:40 p.m