Union Berlin have parted company with head coach Bo Svensson.
The 45-year-old’s final game in charge was the 4-1 defeat to Werder Bremen on December 21 which left Union 12th in the Bundesliga, seven points clear of the relegation places.
Svensson led Union to 17 points from 15 matches, but the club exited the DFB Pokal to third division side Arminia Bielefeld and were without a win in all competitions since October 20.
A club statement confirmed a decision on who will lead the team when they return from the Bundesliga’s winter break in January will be made in “the coming days”.
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“After a thorough analysis of the season so far, we are convinced that a significant change is necessary to reverse the trend. We have therefore decided not to continue the cooperation with Bo Svensson, Babak Keyhanfar, Kristoffer Wichmann and Tijan Njie,” said Horst Heldt, Union Berlin’s managing director for football.
“We would like to thank Bo Svensson and his team for the work they have done and wish them all the best for the future.”
Svensson had been appointed ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, succeeding Nenad Bjelica as Union’s new permanent head coach.
The Danish coach previously had spells at Austrian side Liefering and Mainz, who he led to an unlikely survival from relegation in the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. The Athletic reported in September 2022 he was among the candidates being considered by Brighton to replace Graham Potter.
His dismissal means Union are looking for their third new boss since the departure of long-term head coach Urs Fischer in November 2023. Fischer had led the club back to the Bundesliga and secured qualification for the Champions League for the first time in 2022-23.
Union return to action against Heidenheim on January 11.
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(Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
