VfL Osnabrück has made significant changes due to poor performance, dismissing sports director Philipp Kaufmann and the entire coaching staff after a series of disappointing results, including an eighth consecutive game without a win. Alexander Ukrow from the youth department will temporarily manage the team. The club is in discussions for a new coach ahead of a crucial match against Rot-Weiss Essen. With only 11 points from 17 games, management is seeking a fresh direction to improve outcomes.
VfL Osnabrück Implements Major Changes Amidst Struggles
In response to a significant decline in performance, VfL Osnabrück has initiated a comprehensive personnel shake-up. The team, currently at the bottom of the 3rd league, dismissed sports director Philipp Kaufmann on Tuesday, alongside the complete coaching staff led by Pit Reimers.
Alongside Reimers, who assumed his role only at the end of September, co-coaches Tim Danneberg and Heiko Flottmann were also let go. This upheaval leaves VfL with a notable void in leadership at the sporting level. For the time being, Alexander Ukrow, the head of the youth department for the relegated second division team, has stepped in to manage the third league squad.
Upcoming Challenges for VfL Osnabrück
This Sunday at 4:30 PM, VfL will face Rot-Weiss Essen in a crucial relegation clash at the Bremer Brücke stadium, possibly with a new coach at the helm. Discussions with potential candidates for the coaching position are reportedly already in progress.
Michael Welling, the sole managing director following Kaufmann’s exit, explained the decision-making process: “We aim to finalize our decision swiftly, yet it’s essential that everyone involved is fully on board with this choice, which is why we are taking a collective approach.”
The management’s decision to part ways with the coaching staff came after a disappointing 0-2 loss to Viktoria Köln last Sunday, marking the eighth consecutive game without a win. “Such choices are always difficult on a personal level, but they are necessary for the welfare of VfL Osnabrück, especially if we no longer believe we can achieve our goals with the current personnel,” stated club president Holger Elixmann.
With only 11 points accrued after 17 matchdays, Elixmann emphasized the team’s responsibility to improve performance moving forward. “The results have been unacceptable, and it’s clear we need a fresh direction,” he added.
Following the dismissal, Kaufmann was informed of his exit on Monday, with Reimers and his assistants receiving the same news shortly after. While the two co-coaches may still have a chance to remain with the club in a different capacity, they will not be part of the new coaching staff, according to Elixmann’s statements about the necessary reshuffle.
Kaufmann, who took over as sports director last March, struggled to build a competitive team after the club’s relegation. His tenure was marked by challenges in team formation, and the decision to appoint the relatively inexperienced Reimers as head coach did not yield positive results, with only one victory from nine matches under his leadership.
VfL Osnabrück has explored various strategies this season, including shifts in coaching and player roles, yet the outcomes have consistently fallen short of expectations.