DSC Arminia Bielefeld have parted ways with their women’s team head coach Markus Wuckel the club announced today. The former East Germany international has been in charge of the women’s first team for the last 17 years.

The decision to part ways with immediate effect was made by the club as a consequence to the poor results in the on-going 2020/21 2nd Division Women’s Bundesliga campaign. “After an in-depth analysis following the restart of match operations (after a several month-long COVID-19 break), the (women’s football) department and the club management have decided to relieve head coach Markus Wuckel,” said Jan Reineke, Head of Women’s Football Department at Arminia Bielefeld. “The performance of the team does not match with the existing quality. We would like to give a fresh impetus with a change of the coaching staff and we expect the same not later than by mid-April after the weekend without play. It is a tough call from a human point-of-view. I don’t know anyone in our department who does not owe something to Markus after his 17 years in office.”

“We are thankful to Markus Wuckel for the work he has done for the club. He was instrumental in the positive tranformation of our (women’s football) department and he has led the women’s first team to the status quo they stand today – to the 2nd Division Women’s Bundesliga. The name of Markus Wuckel will be always remembered when we talk about women’s football in our club. He has spent his full energy into the club and we will be always thankful to him,” said Arminia Bielefeld president Hans-Jürgen Laufer. “Our first-time promotion to the 2nd Division Women’s Bundesliga and the historic achievement of reaching the 2019/20 Women’s DFB-Pokal (German Women’s Cup) semi-finals will be always connected to his name. Thank you, Markus!”

Arminia Bielefeld’s U-17 head coach Patrik Warmons, Jan Reineke and Torsten Schäfer will be in charge of the team on interim basis when they face 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam’s Reserves Team in their next league game.