Thunderclap at Union Berlin: coach Bo Svensson dismissed from his position. The historic club of the capital must react quickly to avoid seeing its season go to waste. Who to take over the reins of the team?
A real earthquake has just struck Union Berlin. According to sources close to the club, Danish coach Bo Svensson was fired this Friday, paying a high price for the team's recent lackluster results in the league. A strong decision which demonstrates the desire of the leaders to give an electric shock to the group.
A first part of the season below expectations
Promoted to the German elite in 2019, Union Berlin managed in a few seasons to establish itself permanently in the Bundesliga landscape. The capital club even tasted the Champions League for the first time last season, to everyone's surprise, after a remarkable 4th place. Performances which had raised a lot of hopes for this 2022-2023 financial year.
But after 15 days, it is clear that Union Berlin is far from the mark. With a modest 12th place in the ranking, the club has not achieved its objectives and even seems to be struggling to maintain its position. A poor record which ended up costing Bo Svensson his place, in office since last summer.
Alarming signals
If the results were not there, several warning signals suggested possible changes in the German capital. The home defeat against promoted Bremen in mid-November (1-2) had already made some people cringe internally. But it is above all the current black streak, with 4 defeats in the last 5 matches, which ended up getting the better of the patience of the leaders.
A necessary change therefore, even if it comes prematurely for some observers. Bo Svensson did not in fact have the time to completely make his mark during his short term in Berlin. The Danish coach is undoubtedly also paying for important executive departures in the off-season, such as defender Marvin Friedrich (Mönchengladbach) or striker Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest).
Who to take up the torch?
Union Berlin will now have to find a new guide to try to redress the situation. According to indiscretions, the leaders are already exploring several avenues, in Germany and abroad. Without any name filtering yet. One thing is certain: the next coach who sits on the Berlin bench will have the mission of restarting the machine, and quickly.
We are convinced that significant change is necessary to reverse the trend.
Horst Heldt, general director of Union Berlin
Because behind, the competition does not sleep. Whether for maintenance or European places, many teams are eyeing the end of the season with ambition. The Union cannot afford to see the lead car escape permanently. Especially since the club has solid arguments (hot stadium, quality squad) to get back on track and aim even higher.
The next few weeks therefore promise to be crucial in the German capital. With the aim of: a winter transfer window which could make it possible to strengthen the workforce in key places. Then a second part of the season filled with challenges, starting with the perilous trip to Leverkusen from the restart at the end of January. Union Berlin is at a turning point. It's up to his future coach to give him a new dynamic to return to the top of the Bundesliga.
