Werder Bremen announced on Sunday that they have dismissed Horst Steffen as head coach. Following Steffen's departure, assistant coaches Rafael Duarte and Christian Gross will temporarily manage the first team.

Steffen, 56, has coached several lower-league German teams, including Borussia Mönchengladbach U19, Stuttgart Kickers, Borussia Münster, Chemnitz, and Eversburg. He officially took over Werder Bremen last July, with his term originally scheduled to end in June 2028.

However, Steffen's performance at Werder Bremen has fallen far short of expectations. Since taking over, Bremen have only managed four wins in 20 league matches and are winless in their last ten after a 1-1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. They currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga with 19 points from four wins, seven draws, and nine losses, just five points above the relegation zone.

Speaking about the coaching change, Werder Bremen's general manager, Clemens Fritz, explained: "It was a difficult decision, but after a long winless streak, we were no longer confident that Horst could turn the tide. This conclusion was undoubtedly heavy, especially considering that we have always greatly admired Horst. However, this was the result of our analysis of the current competitive situation and recent communications. Therefore, we decided to dismiss Horst."

Fritz added, "We are actively searching for a new head coach and will take the necessary time to find the best solution for Werder Bremen." Regarding potential candidates, he only stated, "We have identified the type of head coach we need, but details will not be released. "

" For us, it's important to inject new vitality, bring new momentum, and have a clear and concise communication style. We understand our own needs and goals. We are pushing forward with the relevant work and striving to find a solution as soon as possible. We have identified a small group of candidates, and there are one or two specific names on the list. At the same time, we must also consider our financial situation."

Image source: Internet/Werder Bremen official website