Coach clash in Bielefeld: Mitch Kniat and Arminia go their separate ways

As of: May 23, 2026 • 11:48 a.m

It had already become apparent in the past few days: the Mitch Kniat chapter at Arminia Bielefeld is over. The DSC announced the separation on Saturday. Apparently the separation is amicable.

“After three years, DSC Arminia Bielefeld and head coach Mitch Kniat are ending their collaboration after the past season. Both parties reached an amicable agreement after extensive analyzes and in-depth discussions,” it said on the Ostwestfalen homepage on Saturday morning. In addition to Mitch Kniat, assistant coaches Dani Jara and Janik Steringer will also be leaving the club.

Future planning no longer congruent

sportManaging Director Michael Mutzel explains: “It speaks for our trusting cooperation over the entire time and now that we were able to speak openly and honestly to each other about our current assessments – just as we have always done in the past,” said Mutzel.

“After several discussions and joint analysis, we also discussed the further development steps and realized that we were not on the same page when it came to planning for the future.”

Kniat himself is quoted similarly: “One of our strengths has always been to have 100 percent followed a common plan and path. With a view to future development and prioritization, we have noticed that overlaps have become smaller and a new direction is the right step for both sides.”

Kniat came when Arminia was down

The coach started at Arminia when they were at their lowest. After the deep fall from the Bundesliga to the 3rd division, the DSC only had one player under contract, Fabian Klos, in the summer of 2023. In this year of great upheaval, Mutzel and Kniat built a new team that managed to stay in the third division.

The following year, Arminia was promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga as champions of the 2024/25 season and achieved what was probably the club’s greatest success to date with the sensationally reached final of the DFB Cup (2:4 against VfB Stuttgart).

Season with ups and downs

This was followed by the season in the 2nd Bundesliga, which the DSC finished 13th in the table after some ups and downs. completed. In the decisive game at the end of the season against Hertha BSC (6:1), Kniat was on the sidelines for the 132nd time in a competitive game at the Ostwestfalen sports club.

“If you think back to the starting point of our work three years ago, it is simply sensational the successes we have all been able to celebrate to date. I am grateful for this time and would like to thank all employees, those responsible, the entire staff, our fans and of course my players. It was a pleasure and a special experience for me every day to work for this traditional club.”

Speculation about Marcel Rapp

Nothing has yet been announced about Kniat’s successor. According to media reports, Marcel Rapp, who was fired from Holstein Kiel in February, is considered a candidate. He and Mutzel have a shared past in the youth team at TSG Hoffenheim.

In Kiel, Rapp had continuously developed a team from the bottom third of the 2nd league and ultimately even led it into the Bundesliga.

Our sources:

Broadcast: wdr.de“xxx”, May 23, 2026xxx o’clock