Blitz-Off was also up for debate
Media: Union and Bjelica are separating after the season
May 1, 2024, 11:00 a.m
According to a media report, the collaboration between Bundesliga soccer team Union Berlin and coach Nenad Bjelica is set to end after this season. Under Bjelica, the “Iron” initially stabilized, but before they were again in acute danger of relegation.
According to information from “Kicker”, 1. FC Union Berlin and coach Nenad Bjelica will go their separate ways again in the summer. The 52-year-old Croatian only took over the position from club icon Urs Fischer in November and led the Köpenick team out of the bottom of the Bundesliga table. Before the 32nd matchday and after only one win from the last nine games, the Iron Men are again in serious danger of relegation. The club did not want to comment on this when asked by dpa.
As the “Kicker” further reported, the Berliners are said to have even considered parting ways with Bjelica before the duel with direct relegation rivals VfL Bochum this Sunday. But we want to tackle the fight to stay in the league together. The Unioners are currently in 14th place, two points ahead of the relegation place. When Bjelica took office, he had no coaching experience in Germany or outside his Croatian homeland at a top international level. According to reports, the former Bundesliga professional from 1. FC Kaiserslautern was club president Dirk Zingler’s desired solution.
Under Bjelica, the Berliners initially stabilized in the relegation battle. However, the Croatian caused a stir in January with his outburst against Leroy Sané from FC Bayern Munich, who he aggressively grabbed in the face during a dispute on the sidelines. He was banned for three games by the DFB sports court. A separation was already being discussed at Union back then. But Bjelica was allowed to stay. Recently there have been increasing rumors about an estrangement with parts of the team.