Clear criticism from TV experts
Coach’s expulsion from Union “was in bad taste”
May 5, 2026 – 5:55 p.mReading time: 1 min.
In mid-April, Union Berlin parted ways with coach Steffen Baumgart. Former professional Torsten Mattuschka now criticized the club for its actions.
Former professional footballer Torsten Mattuschka has commented on Steffen Baumgart’s expulsion from Union Berlin. This came as a “maximum surprise” to him, the 45-year-old told rbb.
Baumgart was fired that night after Union’s defeat at 1. FC Heidenheim (1:3). Mattuschka now described the timing of the separation’s publication as “not cool”. “At 11:57 p.m. after a game like that in Heidenheim – that was strange. I thought it had a bit of a taste,” emphasized the current TV expert and clearly criticized his former club: “Steffen Baumgart didn’t deserve that either. It could have been moderated differently.”
As Baumgart’s successor, Union installed Marie-Louise Eta, the first woman as head coach of a Bundesliga club. The 34-year-old lost the team’s first two games against Wolfsburg (1:2) and in Leipzig (1:3), but then picked up a point against Cologne (2:2) last weekend. This was enough to prevent relegation.
“In the end, relegation is certain,” said Mattuschka about the decisive point against Cologne, but added: “Baumi would certainly have also got the one point that Marie-Louise Eta got.”
Mattuschka is considered a club legend at Union Berlin. The Rostock native played in 281 competitive games for Köpenick between 2005 and 2014. He scored 61 goals and 64 assists. Before and after his time in Berlin he also played for Energie Cottbus.
