Coach Streich to leave Freiburg after 12 years in end of era

Christian Streich is stepping down as Freiburg coach after more than 12 years at the end of the season, marking the end of an era for the club and German football.

Streich, 58, took charge in January 2012 and led them into the German Cup final in 2022 and into Europe four times as part of his 711 matches in charge so far in all competitions.

Freiburg finished sixth and fifth, respectively, in the league in the past two seasons, and in ninth at the moment chasing another European berth.

Streich said in a video on the club website on Monday he made the decision "with heavy heart, a very heavy heart", and former Freiburg striker Nils Petersen said Streich "turned a small club into a big one."

He will also be missed for his empathy, humour and outspokenness on political and social issues, such as taking a clear stance against right-wing extremism.

Streich received several awards for his social agagement, including a special prize from the domestic federation DFB, whose president Bernd Neuendorf on Monday named him "a role medol for all of us."

He said that Streich "does not duck away, uses its influence and takes a clear stand against xenophobia, racism and discrimination."

He was also seen by many fans as a figure in contrast to the growing commercialism of the game.

Streich, who grew up near Freiburg, said the time had come to leave after some three decades at the club where he was also a player and youth team coach.

"I took a long time to reflect and discuss the decision, but I feel that after 29 years, now is the right time to make way for new impetus, new people and new opportunities," Streich said.

"It has always been extremely important to me to make sure to step back at the right moment in which I feel it's the right time to go.

"I have been able to enjoy hundreds of special moments and memories during my time. This club is my life and I'm extremely grateful for the close cooperation and support that I've been able to enjoy here."

Sporting director Jochen Saier said that "we regret, but fully respect and understand" Streich's decision.

"Christian’s conduct throughout those discussions has been as exemplary as he has always been throughout his twelve-and-a-half years as head coach, and in his total of almost three decades of coaching.

"However, the time to say goodbye isn’t here yet – our journey together is not at its end. There is still plenty to achieve together in the last eight Bundesliga games of the season."

Streich led the team to fifth place in his second season 2012-13 and was retained when they were relegated two years later. They returned to the top flight immediately and reached the Europa League last 16 this term and last season.

Streich had extended his contract by one year in recent years and is the second longest serving coach at the club, with Volker Finke in charge for 16 years 1991-2007, and of the current Bundesliga clubs, with Heidenheim's Frank Schmidt in charge since 2007.

Players heaped praise on Streich, with former defender Robin Koch speaking of "a huge loss for the entire Bundesliga" and Petersen of a "turning point" for the club.

"Christian Streich is a man who has turned a small club into a big one. Who has taken Freiburg to a new level," Petersen told the t-online portal.

Petersen spoke of "A big gap, huge shoes to fill, which the club will now fill with care."

Saier said a new coach would be named "shortly", with former team captain Julian Schuster, now a Freiburg academy coach, reportedly the frontrunner to take over on July 1.

The announcement came the day after a 3-2 Bundesliga home defeat against runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who were among several clubs to react to Streich's upcoming exit and praise him as a coach and person.

"Twenty-nine years at a club is an incredibly long time. I am grateful to have met Christian Streich in a number of matches, each of these encounters was characterised by enormous mutual appreciation," Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said in a club statement.

"To retire after the season is a great pity, but at the same time absolutely understandable in this demanding job."

Streich's last match will be in the May 18 Bundesliga finale against Union Berlin.

"A great coach and person is leaving the Bundesliga stage. We also take a bow to this career: all the best for the future, Christian!" Union said on X, formerly Twitter.