A week before the derby
Second division team apparently separates from its coach
December 1, 2025 – 1:00 p.mReading time: 1 min.
SpVgg Greuther Fürth suffered their next defeat at the weekend. Now the club is apparently reacting with a far-reaching decision.
That was probably it for Thomas Kleine: As the “Nürnberger Nachrichten” reports, the head coach of SpVgg Greuther Fürth was on leave on Monday. His assistants Milorad Pekovic and Marco Konrad are also said to be affected.
There was initially no official communication from the second division club. After 14 match days, Fürth is in second-to-last place in the table with 13 points – and therefore in a relegation zone. Kleine initially took over the coaching position on an interim basis in May and ensured relegation. His contract was subsequently extended.
The 3-0 defeat against VfL Bochum was the sixth in the last seven games. With 37 goals conceded so far, the Fürth team has by far the weakest defense in the league. After the game, sports director Stephan Fürstner avoided making a public statement.
Kleine was hoping for another chance in the upcoming derby against 1. FC Nürnberg. The game is scheduled for Sunday (1.30 p.m./Sky). According to media reports, a new coach will already be on the bench.
As a player, Kleine celebrated their first promotion to the Bundesliga with Fürth in 2012. His successful rescue mission in the preseason had raised hopes of a more stable playing time. But these remained unfulfilled.
After Alexander Zorniger left in October 2024 and Jan Siewert’s short term in office, Kleine’s time in Fürth now seems to be coming to an end prematurely.