"Stepping Up at Union Berlin"
The reign of Urs Fischer at 1. FC Union has come to an end. A new coach is being sought to replace him. Interim coach Marco Grote and his trusted assistant, Marie-Louise Eta, will aim to halt Union Berlin's nine-game Bundesliga losing streak against Augsburg this Saturday (3.30pm/Sky). In his first public address, Grote shared his thoughts on his newly assigned role.
The Unexpected Call
"A week ago Tuesday, we received an unexpected visit from Dirk Zingler (Union president - ed.) in our office," began Grote. "We were informed that Urs Fischer would no longer be in command. And we were assigned the task of leading the team as the new coaching duo. I connected with Christopher Trimmel (captain - ed.) for the first time over the phone on Friday. We had our final talks today, with some players returning from international duty.
The aim is to share ideas with each individual player, get to know them better, and foster a positive atmosphere."
The Indomitable Assistance of Eta
"I've had the pleasure of knowing Loui (Marie-Louise Eta) for quite some time now, since our stint in Bremen in 2016 or 2017," continued Grote. "She was both a player and a coach during our time there. She's tenacious, enjoys the game, and genuinely cherishes working with people. Regardless of their age. I consider Loui an excellent coach and work alongside her on an equal footing. We're a team, and we collaborate exceptionally well."
A Balanced and Bold Style of Play
"It's our nature to look for creative, risk-taking opportunities on the field," stated Grote. "We pursue an attacking style of play. We want to play our own brand of soccer. At the same time, it's crucial to recognize that change isn't always feasible or essential within a brief time frame. Union Berlin is synonymous with success, and we aim to build upon its rich history."
Mutual Inspirations and Reinforcing Positivity
"Our main objective in the last few days has been to refocus our players on their inherent talent and strengths," said Grote. "It's essential to instill a sense of self-belief and optimism in them, motivated by the encouraging atmosphere that prevails following a series of devastating losses."
An Uncertain Future
"For now, our focus lies squarely on Augsburg (Saturday, 3.30pm/Sky)," admitted Grote. "I can't predict what the future holds beyond that. And it's not particularly relevant at this juncture."
Grote, the Resolute and Honest Coach
"I pride myself on being a direct and straightforward communicator," declared Grote. "Honesty is the bedrock of our relationship with the players, empowering them with the truth and guiding them through the challenges that come their way."
The 1. FC Union Berlin will face FC Augsburg 1907 in a crucial Bundesliga match on Saturday at 3:30 PM, as both teams search for new momentum in their quest for on-field success.
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Enrichment Data: Marie-Louise Eta and Marco Grote's professional history dates back to their time in Bremen. Eta was both a player and a coach during that period. Known for her tenacity, love of the game, and enthusiasm for working with people, regardless of their age, Eta represents an essential piece of the 1. FC Union Berlin coaching team.
Grote's coaching philosophy is built on the principles of creativity, boldness, and directness. He seeks to motivate and inspire his players, focusing on their strengths and reinforcing a positive atmosphere while recognizing the need for balance. In short, Grote's approach is centered on adhering to 1. FC Union Berlin's identity and history while innovating within their own boundaries.
