Werner's position is now held by Steffen.
Werder Bremen Appoints Horst Steffen as New Head Coach
Bremen - After days of speculation, SV Werder Bremen has confirmed the appointment of Horst Steffen as their new head coach. The 56-year-old will succeed Ole Werner, who declined to renew his contract beyond 2026.
Steffen, who previously coached SV Elversberg in the second division, will be officially presented to the media on Monday at 1:00 PM CET. According to multiple reports, he has signed a contract with Werder that extends until 2028.
The financial details of Steffen's move from Elversberg to Werder are not yet disclosed, but it is reported that Werder Bremen will pay a compensation fee of around €350,000 to secure his services.
Steffen is renowned for his talent development and previously coached Nick Woltemade, who was loaned to Elversberg from Bremen between 2022 and 2023 and is now attracting interest from international top clubs.
Recently, Steffen led Elversberg to significant progress, taking them from the fourth tier to within touching distance of Bundesliga promotion. Despite falling short in the relegation playoffs last Monday, it was a remarkable achievement that did not go unnoticed by Werder Bremen.
"When Werder's offer came in, it was a great honor for me and my work," Steffen stated. He was impressed by the club's plans and vision for the future, which convinced him to join the Hanseatic club.
Clemens Fritz, Werder Bremen's sports director, expressed his excitement about Steffen's appointment. "Horst has completely convinced us in our conversations, both in terms of content and personality," Fritz said. "He has done outstanding work at Elversberg in the last seven years. Horst stands for offensive, attractive football and very good, clear team leadership... I am convinced that we are well-equipped for the new season with Horst."
Ole Werner's departure arrives as a setback for the club after a successful tenure that saw Werder return to the Bundesliga in 2022 and establish themselves in the top flight. Despite criticism for not sufficiently integrating young players, Werner was generally well-regarded and popular. It is reported that disagreements over squad composition led to his decision to leave the club.
" horst steffen, in his new role at Werder Bremen, might implement his coaching style in European football leagues, being known for his talent development in sports like football."
" To enhance the club's performance, Steffen's focus on offensive, attractive football and clear team leadership might attract attention from European leagues, particularly those where he has been renowned for his impact on teams' progress."
