Freiburg have announced that former captain and midfielder Julian Schuster will replace long-term manager Christian Streich when the latter leaves the club at the end of the season.
This will be Schuster’s first-ever managerial role and will face the tough challenge on carrying on what Streich has built in the Black Forest. On becoming the new manager, Schuster said: “For me, the coaching office at the sports club is both a matter of the heart and a challenge. I am aware of the task and teach it with full conviction, but also with humility and respect. Closeness, passion and connection with the city and the region – these values characterize the sports club for me.
I look forward to living and developing these values together with the team, the staff and the fans. My thanks go to those responsible for the trust, but also Christian Streich and all SC trainers who have accompanied me so far, for the close and intensive cooperation.”
Schuster recently completed the highest possible coaching degree in Germany, the UEFA pro licence and has been involved with the coaching of the senior team in the past.
The former midfielder will be joined by Patrik Grolimund who is currently deputy head of UEFA Pro license training at the DFB. This can be assumed that the rest of Streich’s current backroom staff, apart from his long-term assistant coach Patrick Baier, will stay on under Schuster and help the rookie manager with his new role.
Freiburg are known for these types of promotions, not only off the pitch but on it as well. The best example is the maiden Bundesliga season of goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. The goalkeeper was drafted in from the Freiburg II team in the 3.Liga, but despite the mistakes he has made this season the club have persisted with him as they know it is part of the learning curve of being a goalkeeper.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
