Urs Fischer Steps Down After Union Berlin’s Dramatic Decline

On the club’s board, they had placed their trust in Urs Fischer despite the direst sporting situation, had placed their trust in him and hoped that he would be able to initiate a turnaround for the better. Discussions about a possible release of the former FC St. Gallen and FC Zurich player did not even arise, at least in public.

But now the lack of success became too big a mortgage. Fischer is giving up his position, which he took up a good five years ago – back when the team was still second-class. It was the beginning of a high that no one could have expected to this extent.

Fischer led the team straight into the Bundesliga in his first year in charge. Even in the highest class, the rise continued steadily. It was 11th place in the first season, followed by places 7, 5 and at the end of last season position 4, which was synonymous with qualification for the Champions League.

The current championship also began in the same style. Union Berlin won its first two games. In the Berlin district of Köpenick everything seemed to be going as usual. But then the abrupt change. The high visibly flattened – and degenerated into a massive low. There were nine defeats in a row in the Bundesliga and Union Berlin fell to the bottom of the table.

In the Champions League, after three games lost (also with bad luck), there was a first ray of hope with a draw at Napoli, but apparently not enough to be able to keep Fischer in office.