Latest news with #BerndThissen
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dortmund's Kovač stays grounded despite 'sensational' top-four finish
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac gestures on the touchline during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Holstein Kiel at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač was ecstatic to reach the Champions League after a late burst in the Bundesliga, but said the party should be mooted given it was the minimum target for the club. Dortmund were 11th when the Croatian took over in January following the sacking of Nuro Şahin. Advertisement After a shaky few weeks, the well-known disciplinarian oversaw a remarkable resurgence as the Black and Yellows won their last five league games to pip Freiburg and reach the Champions League for a 10th straight season. Saturday's 3-0 win over relegated Holstein Kiel summed up the calmness and ruthlessness which Kovač, previously sacked by Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, has managed to instil. "What we have done is sensational in the last few weeks," he told Sky. "We had to make it clear what we wanted in games. The lads didn't have that at the start. "I know the quality that top players have. I had to make sure they had positive thoughts. Advertisement "But we shouldn't overly celebrate, we have finished only fourth, which was the minimum expectation." Fans were not impressed when he was drafted in by the Champions League runners-up given his Bayern connection and failure at Wolfsburg. But he has proved the sceptics wrong and was hailed by managing director Lars Ricken for one of the greatest achievements by a Dortmund coach. "It is always nice when you get praise. Alone I wouldn't have managed it," he added, saluting staff, players and the fans. He also thanked his daughter, who told him to keep wearing the same jumper for good luck. "My daughter said never change a winning system," he said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Schalke release coach van Wonderen after latest setbacks
Schalke coach Kees van Wonderen reacts during a TV interview ahead of the 2nd German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Schalke 04 and Hamburger SV at Veltins Arena. Schalke have announced they will part ways with coach Kees van Wonderen at the end of the second division season, an expected move after the helmsman had criticized club leaders over lack of support for him. Bernd Thissen/dpa Schalke parted ways with coach Kees van Wonderen with immediate effect on Saturday, in the wake of poor results and relegation from the second division still a possibility. Van Wonderen would have had to leave after the season as Schalke reacted to criticism he had voiced on lack of support from the club leadership. Advertisement Schalke took immediate action after Friday's 2-0 home defeat which came a week after a 2-1 defeat at Kaiserslautern. "The performance and development over the past two weeks in particular give cause for concern. We are only six points away from the relegation play-off spot and the trend is negative," sporting director Youri Mulder said. "That is why we have decided to react now. We have a responsibility towards the club." Dutchman van Wonderen had only taken the job at the former Bundesliga top club in autumn. Schalke said that under-23 coach Jakob Fimpel will act as caretaker for the remaining two matches at Fortuna Düsseldorf and against Elversberg, from which they need one point to stay in the second tier.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wirtz returns but Leverkusen held to goalless draw with Union Berlin
Wirtz returns but Leverkusen held to goalless draw with Union Berlin Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz (L) and Union's Rani Khedira in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and 1st FC Union Berlin at the BayArena. Bernd Thissen/dpa Florian Wirtz made his return from injury, but couldn't help his Bayer Leverkusen avoid a setback in the Bundesliga title race in a goalless home draw with Union Berlin on Saturday. Leverkusen star Wirtz started on the bench after had been sidelined since early March due to a ligament injury in his right ankle. He came on in the 57th minute, but the defending champions couldn't do better than a draw. Advertisement Leaders Bayern Munich can now open an eight-point gap if they win the top clash against Borussia Dortmund later. Mainz, meanwhile, dropped out of the Champions League qualification zone after a 2-0 defeat to Hoffenheim, who were led to victory by Andrej Kramaric's brace. Mainz lost the position to RB Leipzig, who on Friday defeated VfL Wolfsburg 3-2. In the battle for the Conference League, Johan Manzambi scored a late goal to give Freiburg a 2-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach and help his team leapfrog Gladbach for the spot for the European competition. Elsewhere, 10-man Augsburg claimed a late 2-1 win at lowly Bochum, while St Pauli Hamburg are now seven points above the drop zone thanks to a 2-1 win in stoppage-time at bottom side Holstein Kiel. Leverkusen's Nathan Tella (L) and Union's Christopher Trimmel in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and 1st FC Union Berlin at the BayArena. Bernd Thissen/dpa Leverkusen's Nathan Tella (L) and Union's Leopold Querfeld in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and 1st FC Union Berlin at the BayArena. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dortmund and Union boost chances as Freiburg and Mainz hopes dented
Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund reignited a late charge for the European places with a 3-1 home win on Sunday which complicated Mainz's hopes of Champions League qualification. Freiburg also wasted the chance to close in on a top-four place as Union Berlin all but secured Bundesliga safety with a 2-1 away win. Advertisement Mainz, who have never been in Europe's top competition, remain fourth but failed to increase the gap on the chasing pack as their goal difference suffered. They had not lost in six games but now hold just a two-point cushion over fifth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach. Dortmund, in 10th, moved to within four points of a guaranteed European berth with seven games to go. Maximilian Beier, up front in place of the absent Serhou Guirassy, gave Dortmund the lead with a tap-in and Emre Can headed in a corner just before the break. Germany under-21 star Beier matched Can's trick midway through the second half before Paul Nebel's consolation. "We let in two stupid goals from set pieces. We deserved to lose," Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt told DAZN. "It hurts when you concede two easy goals." Advertisement Niko Kovač's side had lost their last two league games before the international break, but Dortmund are back in the running for a Conference League berth at least. Mainz, who had other chances after the break, lacked their usual verve and will hope to rediscover their form at home to bottom side Holstein Kiel next Saturday. Union ruin big day for Freiburg's Grifo Freiburg stay in seventh, level on points with RB Leipzig and three points behind Mainz in the final Champions League spot. Leaders Bayern Munich, second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, in third, all won earlier this weekend. Advertisement Union meanwhile climbed eight points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Lucas Höler opened the scoring for the hosts on 29 minutes when he finished off a fine team move, but Rani Khedira levelled almost immediately for Union with a shot from the edge of the area. Andrej Ilić then timed his run perfectly to head home on 48 minutes to stun the home fans and it got worse for Freiburg when keeper Noah Atubolu went off with an arm injury after colliding with a team-mate. Midfielder Vincenzo Grifo, after his 300th competitive game for Freiburg, said: "Luck wasn't on our side. We left everything out there. Advertisement "It's an epic number of games for me to have racked up and hopefully there are a few more matches to add to that. But it is a shame because I would have liked to celebrate with a win." Union are unbeaten in three league games having drawn 1-1 at home with Bayern last time out. They also won 2-1 at Champions League-chasing Frankfurt earlier in March. Freiburg, who had seen Julian Schuster seamlessly replace coaching icon Christian Streich this season, have now not won in four Bundesliga games as they seek a first Champions League place. Dortmund's Emre Can (2nd L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammates during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Berlin's Andrej Ilic (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Josip Juranovic during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa Berlin's Andrej Ilic celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
