Third division team before falling into the regional league
Traditional club fires its coach
January 31, 2026 – 4:00 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The third division soccer team Erzgebirge Aue is parting ways with coach Jens Härtel after three defeats. Now the assistant coaches are taking over to prevent relegation.
Erzgebirge Aue has parted ways with coach Jens Härtel after a disappointing start to 2026. The decision came after the 1:3 defeat against TSV Havelse. The assistant coaches Adam Susac and Lars Fuchs will initially take over management of the team.
President Thomas Schlesinger explained that the change was necessary to stop the negative trend. “In view of the latest developments, we had no choice but to stop the negative trend as quickly as possible by changing responsibility,” said Schlesinger. The balance sheet and table situation are alarming, as is the error rate on the pitch. The club has been lagging behind its own demands and expectations for a year.
Härtel, who took over as coach in January 2025, was disappointed with the development. “I am very disappointed,” said Härtel. “First and foremost from myself. And I’ve been in the business long enough to know: only results and points count, so we have few arguments.” Erzgebirge Aue is in relegation place 17 after losing three games and is threatened with falling into the regional league.
