Trainer future still open
©IMAGO
The important win against SV Darmstadt 98 seems to have calmed the situation somewhat about head coach Nenad Bjelica’s sensational failure at 1. FC Union Berlin. However, the whereabouts of the trainer are apparently by no means certain. “It’s always unfortunate when a head coach misses three games. However, if we are as successful in the next two as we were in this one, it will be a good story,” said sports director Oliver Ruhnert after the 1-0 win over the bottom of the table on “ARD”. The Köpenick team increased their lead over relegation place 16 to five points thanks to their success.
Head coach Bjelica was suspended for three games for his handwiping against national player Leroy Sané (28). He watched the game against the Hessians in a box. A public debate arose as to whether Bjelica was still acceptable for Union after the action. “We said that we didn’t like the way Union Berlin’s head coach acted on Wednesday. We told the team that and we also made it clear to the coach. We expected him to apologize profusely for this, and that is what he did,” explained Ruhnert. “It is clear to us that something like this should definitely not happen again.”
Before the game, the 52-year-old had avoided making a clear statement to “DAZN” as to whether Bjelica would be back on the Berlin bench after his ban expired: “In addition to the DFB’s sanction, we also reacted as an employer – and imposed this penalty . Now the focus for us is that we have a game against Darmstadt 98. And that’s more important to us than anything else right now.”
With Volland and Gosens: The most expensive additions from Union Berlin
Union Berlin: Players not satisfied with Bjelica’s handling and working methods?
Ruhnert also emphasized that the 52-year-old Croatian was only restricted in his work on match days. “Apart from the half hour before the game and the half hour after the game, he is not banned from working. He can lead the training as normal and that’s what he does,” added the managing director. “I think we worked very well on the bench today. The three who are there as representatives are doing very well.” Ruhnert said once again that the people of Köpenick were “very unhappy with the campaign and did not agree with it in any way”.
According to reports, it is not only Bjelica’s lack of discipline towards Sané that is causing the coach to falter. “Bjelica is under scrutiny,” said the “Kicker” and wrote about rumors that the club was looking for candidates in the background. Although the results indicate a sporting improvement – since Urs Fischer’s successor took over there have been three wins, one draw and two defeats – there is really no sign of further development in terms of play. Several players are now against the coach because they denounce his way of working and his tone. After the defeat in Munich, there was said to be a conversation between captain Christopher Trimmel (36) and club boss Dirk Zingler, and an exchange with the team council is also planned in the coming days.
To home page