Werder’s management have decided to add just one new assistant coach to the roster in order to complete this season’s coaching staff. Ilia Gruev will, however, remain at the club and will take on a new role. “We hold Ilia’s skills in high value here and he will coordinate with our loan players in the upcoming season, as well as keeping a close eye on their development. He is taking on an important role which was previously filled by Clemens Fritz,” said Frank Baumann.
Ilia Gruev is looking forward to his new task, saying “Last season was a difficult one for everyone at Werder, which is why it makes sense to change a few things now. I remain highly motivated and will approach this new role with the same level of enthusiasm as I did in my previous role.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Horsch will leave the club to pursue new opportunities. “Unfortunately, we were unable to agree upon a continued cooperation with Thomas, and he will leave the club following the end of his contract. We wish him all the best for the future,” said Baumann.
Henrik Frach will join Werder as a second fitness coach, alongside Günther Stoxreiter. Frach was previously with the Werder academy, where he most recently worked with the U23s. He was previously employed in a similar role at Bayern München (academy and women’s Bundesliga), and at VfL Osnabrück (first team).
There will also be two personnel changes made to Werder’s analysis department. Rafael Kazior and Pascal Schichtel have left the club of their own accord, and will be replaced by Sören Quittkat (previously at HSV) and Andre Pawlowski (previously an analyst at Bayern München). The duo will complete head analyst Mario Baric’s team.
“With these changes and the personnel changes we made over the course of last season, we are in a good spot ahead of the upcoming season,” Frank Baumann concluded.
