He is the hottest coaching candidate
Union Berlin will probably choose Baumgart
December 30, 2024 – 9:12 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
His name still has a special ring in the Alte Försterei. Steffen Baumgart is now considered the top candidate for the vacant coaching position.
Steffen Baumgart could soon return to the coaching bench of his former club Union Berlin. According to information from the TV channel Sky and “Bild”, the 52-year-old is the favorite for the vacant position at Köpenick. The talks are already well advanced. Baumgart has been available again since his release from Hamburger SV on November 24th.
The former striker played for the Eiserne from 2002 to 2004, then in the 2nd Bundesliga, and became a fan favorite. In recent years, his name has come up regularly when Union Berlin was looking for a new coach.
The Berliners are urgently looking for a successor after coach Bo Svensson left. Svensson had to leave his post after less than six months and a series of nine competitive games without a win. The name André Breitenreiter was also discussed, but he took over for Hannover 96 on Sunday.
Sky reports that Union is working intensively on Baumgart. This is surprising because the former coach of 1. FC Köln is considered a striking but controversial personality. According to “Bild”, managing director Horst Heldt in particular should drive forward discussions with Baumgart. Heldt and Baumgart know each other from their time together at 1. FC Köln.
Union Berlin doesn’t have much time to make the decision. The club starts training on January 2nd before the first competitive game of the new year at 1. FC Heidenheim on January 11th. The other tasks in January, such as the home game against Mainz 05 and the game at FC St. Pauli, could also be groundbreaking for the rest of the season.