Union Berlin's five-year journey with coach Urs Fischer ends amidst struggles
- Rob Fleming
- 21 November 2023
1. FC Union Berlin have officially parted ways with head coach Urs Fischer after a challenging start to the season.
The Bundesliga club, currently at the bottom of the league standings, and Fischer mutually agreed to terminate his contract immediately.
Union Berlin president Dirk Zingler praised Fischer, stating, "I recently made it clear that Urs Fischer is an outstanding coach, and I remain absolutely convinced of that. His personality and his successful work have characterised our club in recent years and opened many new opportunities for us."
Fischer, who took the helm in 2018, led the club to a historic promotion to the Bundesliga in his debut season. Under his guidance, Union Berlin achieved remarkable finishes of seventh, fifth, and fourth in successive seasons, securing spots in the UEFA Conference League, Europa League, and the prestigious Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
The decision to part ways comes after a disappointing performance in the current Bundesliga season, with Union Berlin languishing at the bottom of the table after 11 matches and only six points from two wins. President Zingler acknowledged the need for a change, stating, "Together, we have now come to the conclusion that the time has come to take a different path."
Fischer, reflecting on the decision, remarked, "The last few weeks have cost a lot of strength. We've tried a lot, and the team has put in a lot of effort, but it hasn't paid off in terms of results. Nevertheless, it feels right to make a change now. Sometimes a different face, a different way of addressing a team helps to spark a development."
Despite the parting, Fischer expressed gratitude, saying, "I've got to know and appreciate an exceptional club in Union. My thanks go to the players I have been able to work with, Markus Hoffmann and my team, the club's management, and staff, as well as the fans. I am very lucky to have experienced this extremely positive kind of support. I wish Union all the best and am convinced that they will manage to stay in the league."
Fischer's tenure at Union Berlin was not without its highlights. He was recognized for his outstanding contributions by being voted Coach of the Year in the summer of 2023. The decision to part ways may mark the end of a chapter, but Union Berlin will undoubtedly look to the future as they navigate the challenges of the season with a new leadership strategy.
