Overview

• The club confirmed the departures of Patrick Glöckner and Dr. Christian Werner after three straight losses, including a 1:5 home defeat to TSG Hoffenheim II and a 0:2 loss at Erzgebirge Aue.
• Manfred Paula, head of the academy since 2019, has been named interim sporting director and will temporarily oversee the club’s sporting management.
• Paula brings experience from prior roles at FC Ingolstadt, FC Augsburg and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, which the club cited in announcing his temporary leadership.
• U21 coach Alper Kayabunar will serve as interim first-team coach and is set to lead Wednesday’s home match against Viktoria Köln with support from the existing assistant staff.
• Media are speculating on permanent successors, mentioning candidates such as Benjamin Lauth for a sporting role and former coaches Peter Pacult and Michael Köllner for the bench, while Werner posted an emotional farewell after 633 days at the club.