In a stunning development on Saturday evening, Union Berlin announced the immediate termination of their head coach, Steffen Baumgart. This decision followed a recent loss to bottom-placed Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim. Despite Baumgart’s somewhat sharp post-match press conference, there had been no prior indication or rumors suggesting his imminent dismissal.
Reasons Behind Union Berlin’s Decision to Sack Steffen Baumgart
The news was indeed unexpected. While it’s true that Baumgart’s Union has secured only two Bundesliga victories in the 2026 calendar year, his knack for eliciting late winning goals from his “super subs” was a notable strength at the start of the new year. Baumgart’s tenure began with three draws, and he initially appeared capable of maximizing his players’ potential.
However, as the second half of the Bundesliga season, the “Rückrunde,” commenced, the Köpenick-based team exhibited several uninspired offensive performances, struggling to find the back of the net. Their only two victories during this period, against Freiburg and Leverkusen, were narrow 1-0 wins. Union has managed to score a mere nine goals in their 12 “Rückrunde” fixtures.
Despite these struggles, Union has accumulated 33 points, which, arithmetically at least, places them in a relatively secure position regarding relegation. Therefore, FCU managing director Horst Heldt’s decision to part ways with Baumgart – whom Heldt had previously hired to coach Köln in 2021 shortly before his own dismissal – remains a significant surprise.
Baumgart, along with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna, have also been relieved of their duties. The pioneering female coach Marie Louise Eta will once again assume interim charge for Union’s remaining five league matches of the season.
Union Berlin’s Official Statement Regarding Baumgart’s Sacking
“We’ve had an absolutely disappointing second half of the season so far, and we’re not letting the standings blind us,” stated Heldt in the club’s official announcement. “Our situation remains precarious, and we urgently need points to secure our place in the league. The recent results leave us without the conviction that we can still turn things around with the current coaching team.”
