Fan favorite takes over
Two game days before the end: BVB releases coach Zimmermann
05.05.2025 – 6:34 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The third division team of Dortmund hovers in acute relegation. Before the groundbreaking game on Friday, the club bosses pull the ripcord.
The Borussia Dortmund managers react to the sporting descent of the second team. After the recent 2: 4 defeat against SV Wehen Wiesbaden, the club separates with immediate effect from U23 coach Jan Zimmermann. The new coach is Mike Tullberg – and not as planned only from summer, but from now on.
The 39-year-old had briefly looked after the professional team in the second half of the season, bringing important stability with two wins and a tie and inspired many supporters of the “black and yellow” with his emotional way.
Originally, Tullberg was supposed to take over the U23 after his return from vacation in summer. But now the plan has been brought forward. The Dane immediately takes over the third division team to prevent relegation with her.
The starting point is serious: Two game days before the end of the season, the Dortmund U23 is 16 – tied with a relegation rank, only separated by the better goal difference. The direct basement duel with Stuttgart’s U23 (17th place) is on Friday (7 p.m.). On the last match day it goes to the 1. FC Saarbrücken (May 17, 1.30 p.m.). Tullberg therefore remain only a few training sessions to prepare the team for the decisive games.
A lot is at stake for BVB: a descent to the regional league would make the training work in the transition area between youth and professionals considerably more difficult. The association uses the 3rd league to introduce talents to the first team at a high level. The return from the regional league is particularly difficult due to the ascent system.
Tullberg had only signed a new contract until 2028 last week. With the immediate takeover of the U23, he now has a central role in the sporting struggle for survival of the youth team.