Union braces for significant shifts following cucumber harvest.
Union Berlin rejoices in their relegation in the final moments. The Köpenickers are now assessing the outcome of a remarkable season. It is undecided if interim coach Marco Grote will continue to oversee the team in the upcoming Bundesliga season.
As team captain Christopher Trimmel and the Union Berlin players celebrated with the fans during the lap of honor, plans were already underway for the big party to commemorate their descent into relegation. Two crates of beer were placed in the middle of the An der Alten Försterei stadium, ready to be utilized. The euphoria following their last-minute salvation in the 2-1 (0-0) against SC Freiburg was immense.
"I'll probably have a drink with my friends and family and everyone who was involved here," said club manager Dirk Zingler. Grote remarked on a "crazy amazing feeling," Trimmel felt "pure goosebumps," and former manager Urs Fischer congratulated from afar in Switzerland: "What a thriller!" Zingler seized the opportunity to express his appreciation following the team's demotion: "I'm so happy for the people here. And of course, it's great that we'll have a sixth season. I bow to Urs Fischer and thank Nenad Bjelica and Marco Grote. Everyone put in a ton of effort here."
"That's not a good sign for any team"
Janik Haberer's late goal (90.+3) secured Union's stay in the top flight and averted their relegation to the second division. In the end, Bremen provided the necessary assistance. "We've had a bad season, we've used up three coaches. That's not a good sign for any team. But we're also self-critical enough," said Trimmel.
Previously, long-time successful coach Fischer failed, and Bjelica's tenure with Union had never truly taken off. In the second match under Grote, Berlin began to regain the stability they had lost. "It was typical Union once again," said Trimmel, "you could really see in the squad that we weren't falling apart. Our strength was visible again."
Zingler has an urgent desire
The qualities that propelled Union from a second-division club to a Champions League participant disappeared during the 2023/24 season. The ascent? Excessive and rapid. The upheaval that took place last summer with star signings like Leonardo Bonucci? Overly significant. They "never genuinely clicked as a team," Trimmel stated recently. However, "if you make it in the end, you can learn from it. The club will analyze the season thoroughly."
Numerous improvement areas remain. It's not yet determined if Grote will continue to lead the team in the following Bundesliga season. Grote's future role in the club is also uncertain. The face of the team will also see changes. The fact that Union no longer have a team in European competition due to their three previous international campaigns might aid in the reconstruction process. "The last three, four, or five years have been draining," said president Zingler, before saying his goodbyes to the night with a single wish: "[I hope for] a very boring last matchday next season."
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Source: www.ntv.de
