Steffen Baumgart unlikely to replace Bo Svensson as Union Berlin’s new manager

Bild reports that former Hamburg and 1.FC Köln manager Steffen Baumgart is not in the running to replace Bo Svensson at Union Berlin.

No reason is given why Baumgart would not be hired as head coach but is deemed very unlikely. Baumgart was most recently in charge of Hamburg but was sacked earlier this season. A return of Urs Fischer to the club is also out of the question. The Swiss has been out of a job since leaving Union just over a year ago. 

Other names that are touted as potential successors to Svensson are former Hoffenheim head coaches Pellegrino Matarazzo and André Breitenreiter. While Markus Gisdol was also suggested having previously worked with managing director Horst Heldt at Köln.

Svensson was relieved of his duties yesterday with Union currently sitting in 12th and on a nine-game winless run. The decision has been questioned but one of the reasons for Svensson’s dismissal have been revealed. It is said the Dane annoyed the bosses at Union with the fact that he ignored some of the players brought in in the summer for transfer fees. Despite agreeing to the transfers, Svensson has given little game time to Laszlo Benes as well as Ivan Pratjin, who were signed for €2.5m and €1m. 

Union is expected to announce Svensson’s replacement in the coming days.

GGFN | Jack Meenan