Separation with announcement: Erzgebirge Aue sacks coach Dotchev

It was to be expected: FC Erzgebirge Aue parted ways with coach Pavel Dotchev much earlier than announced. The club bosses used the 5-2 defeat at home to SC Verl to make a quick cut after announcing two weeks ago that they would not be extending the contract with the 59-year-old Bulgarian beyond the end of the season. From then on, it was clear to many that the record-breaking coach of the 3rd division would not see out the summer as coach of the Violets.

"We believed in the team and coaching staff even after four defeats in a row. However, the recent performances and results speak for themselves. We've only picked up seven points from our last seven home games, whereas last year we were still the best home team. We currently lack the conviction to achieve a turnaround in this constellation, to get back on the road to success in the long term and to achieve our ambitious goals," explained sporting director Matthias Heidrich. In doing so, he provided the reasoning that he previously could not and would not give when announcing the separation at the end of the season.

Dotchev remained a gentleman even in the bitter hour of parting: "It was an honor for me to work for the Kumpelverein. It's no coincidence that I've been here three times and can look back on the most games for Aue in my coaching career to date. I got to know and appreciate a lot of great people," he was quoted as saying in a club statement. Dotchev had coached FC Erzgebirge a total of 171 times. He was coach of the Veilchen from 2015 to 2017, from 2021 to 2022 and most recently for almost two years. He also worked as sporting director at Aue.

"We give Pavel Dotchev a lot of credit for taking on the responsibility in a very difficult phase
in 2022. In his three terms as coach and sporting director, he has undoubtedly had a significant impact on soccer in the Erzgebirge and, as a man of honor, has also done much to enhance the reputation of our club. For this reason alone, we would all have wished for a different end to the collaboration," said President Roland Frötschner.

Wanted, certainly, but it seems that preparations are underway. A new coach is expected to arrive in Aue by the winter break at the latest. Rüdiger Rehm has been under discussion for some time. Until then, the coaching staff around current assistant coach Jörg Emmerich will take over the coaching of the team.