Freiburg is looking for a new coach
Ex-professional should take over from Christian Streich
March 18, 2024, 8:01 p.m
As a player, Julian Schuster was promoted to the Bundesliga twice with SC Freiburg, but he has not yet appeared as a coach. That could change soon: According to reports, the ex-professional is being discussed as a successor to Christian Streich.
The end of the Christian Streich era has only been official for a few hours, when there are already increasing indications that SC Freiburg has identified a favorite to succeed the long-time head coach. And as with active professionals, the promotion of talent seems to be given priority over the temptation to sign established characters. Because the possible Streich successor, rumored in consistent media reports, is already under contract with the Bundesliga soccer team – and was even captain of the Bundesliga team under Streich.
According to these reports, Julian Schuster is currently the most promising candidate for the office, which Streich will be giving up in the summer after around twelve and a half years. Schuster was elected team captain by his teammates when Streich joined the professionals in January 2012. The now 38-year-old ended his active career in the summer of 2018 after playing over 200 competitive games for SC Freiburg, with whom he was promoted to the Bundesliga twice in 2009 and 2016.
Schuster is currently the liaison between young talent and professionals at the sports club. Under Streich, the Breisgau team had repeatedly managed to promote promising talents to the first team and establish them in the Bundesliga. “It would be typical for those responsible in Freiburg,” writes the “Kicker” about the rumors, “to throw him into the deep end and, like with players, promote talent from their own ranks.” The former midfielder knows the club inside out and is highly respected.
Although he currently lacks experience as a head coach, he has recently been in possession of the so-called Pro License: This is a prerequisite for the job as a Bundesliga coach. Incidentally, Schuster can already look back on two appearances as a prank replacement. In October 2022, he represented Streich, who was missing due to a corona infection, in the Europa League game against FC Nantes, as well as in February 2023 against VfB Stuttgart, when Streich was missing due to a suspension.
Quotes from SC board member Jochen Saier, who was quoted in the press release announcing the cult coach’s farewell as saying: “We will announce Christian Streich’s successor as soon as possible,” can also be seen as an indication of Schuster’s promotion. This is also the result of an “intensive, very trusting and emotional exchange of ideas” with Streich, whose decision “we regret, but can fully respect and understand.” At the same time, this made it possible to “start discussions at an early stage about how the coaching team will be set up for the coming season” – with Julian Schuster at the helm?