Union Berlin have snubbed Real Madrid and Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez for Nenad Bjelica.
Bjelica was formerly manager of Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, and he was manager of the club from April 18, 2023 to October 11, 2023.
Nenad Bjelica has consistently developed himself managerially, and that has seen him coach some notable teams in Europe, including; Dinamo Zagreb, Austria Wien, and Lech Poznań.
Reports initially indicated that Union Berlin were looking at appointing Raul Gonzalez, who currently manages Real Madrid Castilla.
Raul has been impressive in handling the youth teams of Real Madrid, and he led the club to the UEFA Youth League in the 2019/20 season.
Raul Gonzalez understands the German Bundesliga quite well, having represented Schalke 04 during his playing days.
The Spaniard scored 40 goals and provided 16 assists in 98 appearances across all competitions.
However, Union Berlin have opted for Nenad Bjelica, who is more experienced and knows what it means to manage the senior team of a club.
Bjelica also knows what it means to win trophies, having led Dinamo Zagreb to the Croatian top-flight league on two occasions, alongside the Croatian Cup and Croatian Super Cup.
In 2019, he was also awarded with the SN Sportsperson of the Year award. It is an award given by Sportske Novosti.
Sportske Novosti are a Zagreb-based Croatian daily sports newspaper, and it is one of the biggest Croatian awards in sports.
Meanwhile, Union Berlin have had a horrendous start to the season, as they are winless in their last 15 matches across all competitions; drawing 2 games and losing 13.
This has seen them slump to 17th on the German Bundesliga table, and they have amassed just 7 points from 12 matches.
Nenad Bjelica has a huge task on his hands, as he will need to resurrect the club from the dungeon in which Union Berlin currently resides.
Union Berlin have been impressive since they gained promotion to the top flight for the 2019/20 season.
They have experienced a steady upward growth, finishing in higher positions, with each passing season.
Nenad Bjelica's first test as manager will come on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, as his side faces Braga in the UEFA Champions League.
Union Berlin need a victory over Braga to harbor the hopes of at least remaining in Europe this season via the UEFA Europa League.
They currently sit in their Champions League group, with 1 point from 4 group matches.
In the league, Nenad Bjelica has a daunting test in the mode of Bayern Munich to contend with on December 2, 2023, and that game will offer another opportunity to assess the Croatian's tactical abilities in handling the team.
Speaking on being appointed manager, Bjelica spoke highly of Union Berlin, he said:
“Union is a very well-run club in one of the top leagues in Europe. My task is to lead the team out of a difficult phase and bring back to their strengths.
“I am looking forward to this challenge. I want to see well-organized, active, and dominant football and players who are willing to take responsibility. We will work on this together from now on.”
Bjelica was formerly manager of Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, and he was manager of the club from April 18, 2023 to October 11, 2023.
Nenad Bjelica has consistently developed himself managerially, and that has seen him coach some notable teams in Europe, including; Dinamo Zagreb, Austria Wien, and Lech Poznań.
Reports initially indicated that Union Berlin were looking at appointing Raul Gonzalez, who currently manages Real Madrid Castilla.
Raul has been impressive in handling the youth teams of Real Madrid, and he led the club to the UEFA Youth League in the 2019/20 season.
Raul Gonzalez understands the German Bundesliga quite well, having represented Schalke 04 during his playing days.
The Spaniard scored 40 goals and provided 16 assists in 98 appearances across all competitions.
However, Union Berlin have opted for Nenad Bjelica, who is more experienced and knows what it means to manage the senior team of a club.
Bjelica also knows what it means to win trophies, having led Dinamo Zagreb to the Croatian top-flight league on two occasions, alongside the Croatian Cup and Croatian Super Cup.
In 2019, he was also awarded with the SN Sportsperson of the Year award. It is an award given by Sportske Novosti.
Sportske Novosti are a Zagreb-based Croatian daily sports newspaper, and it is one of the biggest Croatian awards in sports.
Meanwhile, Union Berlin have had a horrendous start to the season, as they are winless in their last 15 matches across all competitions; drawing 2 games and losing 13.
This has seen them slump to 17th on the German Bundesliga table, and they have amassed just 7 points from 12 matches.
Nenad Bjelica has a huge task on his hands, as he will need to resurrect the club from the dungeon in which Union Berlin currently resides.
Union Berlin have been impressive since they gained promotion to the top flight for the 2019/20 season.
They have experienced a steady upward growth, finishing in higher positions, with each passing season.
Nenad Bjelica's first test as manager will come on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, as his side faces Braga in the UEFA Champions League.
Union Berlin need a victory over Braga to harbor the hopes of at least remaining in Europe this season via the UEFA Europa League.
They currently sit in their Champions League group, with 1 point from 4 group matches.
In the league, Nenad Bjelica has a daunting test in the mode of Bayern Munich to contend with on December 2, 2023, and that game will offer another opportunity to assess the Croatian's tactical abilities in handling the team.
Speaking on being appointed manager, Bjelica spoke highly of Union Berlin, he said:
“Union is a very well-run club in one of the top leagues in Europe. My task is to lead the team out of a difficult phase and bring back to their strengths.
“I am looking forward to this challenge. I want to see well-organized, active, and dominant football and players who are willing to take responsibility. We will work on this together from now on.”
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