Union's Coach Hunt: Raúl and Schreuder in the Running
In a buzzing turn of events, reports suggest that Raúl and Alfred Schreuder have emerged as contenders for the vacant coaching position at 1. FC Union Berlin. According to Bild, Schreuder, the former Hoffenheim coach, may be the frontrunner, while Raúl, a former Schalke 04 player, is also a viable option. Oliver Glasner of Eintracht Frankfurt remains in the fray as well, given the struggling team's position at the bottom of the table.
Union bid farewell to coach Urs Fischer last week, following a strikingly poor performance of 14 games without a victory. Marcos Grote and Maria-Louise Eta will take charge of the team during the Bundesliga clash versus FC Augsburg on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky).
Raúl, a seasoned Bundesliga player with Schalke 04 from 2010 to 2012, boasts a wealth of experience in the league. Reports state that he was once a coaching prospect for Schalke, but rejected the offer earlier in October. Now, the 46-year-old Haalemboy trains Real Madrid's B team.
Schreuder's coaching resume includes a stint with Hoffenheim in the 2019/2020 season, though his tenure ended prematurely on matchday 30. Previous engagements with Ajax Amsterdam and Al-Ain FC in the United Arab Emirates also concluded swiftly.
Union president Dirk Zingler has publicized the search for an adept coach, emphasizing the need for one who is fluent in German and shares the club's values.
Given Raúl's Bundesliga background and Schreuder's potential return to the league after his brief stint with Hoffenheim, their candidacies are worth noting.
Enrichment Details:
Detailed figures regarding the current leading candidates for Union Berlin's coach position are not explicitly mentioned in the sources. However, based on the implicit information provided, the following enrichment insights can be deduced:
- Steffen Baumgart is the current head coach of Union Berlin, having taken over after Urs Fischer's departure. Baumgart boasts a coaching history spanning Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Dortmund, where he served as an assistant coach before his consequent appointment as head coach at Arminia Bielefeld and ultimately, Union Berlin.
- Urs Fischer, the former head coach of Union Berlin, enjoyed notable success during his tenure, including Union Berlin's initial promotion to the Bundesliga and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
- Niko Kovac is a potential candidate for Borussia Dortmund, but there seems to be no direct link to Union Berlin's coach search. Kovac previously coached Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and the Greek national team.
- Erik ten Hag is another prospect for Borussia Dortmund, though there's no indication of his consideration for Union Berlin. Ten Hag has a coaching history with Ajax and Manchester United.
- Roger Schmidt and Sandro Wagner are also mentioned as potential Dortmund candidates, without a direct association to Union Berlin's coach hunt.