First trainer's leave of absence: Bielefeld's Uli Forte has to go

Created: 08/17/2022, 10:03 am

Coach Uli Forte coaches his team on the sidelines.

© Axel Heimken/dpa/archive image

After only four match days, coach Uli Forte has already failed at Arminia Bielefeld, who have been relegated to the Bundesliga.

The 48-year-old Italian was dismissed as the first coach of the season four days after the 2-0 loss to Hamburger SV and the fourth defeat at Ostwestfalen.

“We need a turnaround and that's why we have to act according to our understanding.

Bielefeld - Taking into account all impressions and discussions, we lacked the conviction that we could be successful in the existing constellation," said Arminen sports director Samir Arabi on Wednesday.

The day before, Forte had led Arminia's training.

However, the club may have already made its decision, which intends to present a successor in the near future.

Bielefeld has to play at 1. FC Heidenheim on Sunday.

“We have overall responsibility for DSC Arminia.

We thank Uli Forte for his commitment to Arminia Bielefeld," Arabi continued.

Already on Sunday he had no longer wanted to give a job guarantee for the next game.

"Of course I'm disappointed because I believed in being successful with Arminia," said Forte.

“I would have believed that I could turn things around together with everyone and find my way after the start of the season.

The time off hurts, but as a long-time head coach I have to deal with it professionally.”

Forte, who was in charge of a German club for the first time, had a difficult time right from the start. In the first competitive game he saw a red card that was later described as "by mistake" and lost with his team at SV Sandhausen.

Under their new coach, Bielefeld only had to counter three further defeats in the league against Jahn Regensburg, Hansa Rostock and HSV with a 7:1 in the DFB Cup at Oberliga club SV Engers 07.

dpa