Union Berlin sack coach Nenad Bjelica ahead of crucial Köln clash | OneFootball

Union Berlin have parted company with coach Nenad Bjelica following Sunday's 4-3 defeat at the hands of VfL Bochum.

That result was Union's fifth match without victory, and leaves them just one point above the relegation positions ahead of next weekend's trip to face fellow strugglers FC Köln.

The club have confirmed that Marco Grote - who was interim manager for one match prior to Bjelca's appointment - will take over for the remainder of the season, with current assistant coach Marie-Louise Eta and Sebastian Bönig as his assistants.

"I'm looking forward to the task and am convinced that we'll manage to avoid relegation,” Grote told the club's official website on Monday.

“I know our team well and know that if we join forces we are capable of picking up the necessary points."

Bjelica only took charge of Union in November following the departure of his hugely popular predecessor Urs Fischer.

The Croatian oversaw 19 matches in total, winning five, drawing five and losing nine.

Union finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season and played in the Group Stage of the Champions League this term, but just eight wins in 32 league matches in 2023/24 leaves them in danger of joining Berlin rivals Hertha in the second tier.

They are just one point ahead of the relegation play-off position, which is currently occupied by Mainz 05, with two matches of the regular season remaining.