René Wagner departs Union Berlin by mutual consent

Union Berlin have announced the departure of assistant coach René Wagner, following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.

The 36-year-old joined Union in January 2025, forming part of the coaching staff under head coach Steffen Baumgart. Wagner’s exit brings an end to a long-standing collaboration between the two, having previously worked together across four different clubs: Hamburg, Paderborn, Köln, and most recently Union Berlin. In total, Wagner assisted Baumgart in 181 competitive matches.

Reflecting on his time in the capital in a club statement, Wagner expressed appreciation for the club and his coaching journey under Baumgart.

“I look back on my time at Union with gratitude,” Wagner said. “The club, the environment and the people here have welcomed me warmly from the very beginning. A very special thank you goes to Steffen Baumgart for the time we spent together here at Union, but above all for the last four years of close and trusting cooperation. The decision to leave the club is not an easy one, but it is a step I am taking deliberately for my personal development.”

Wagner, a Dresden native, also spent time coaching in the United States prior to his collaboration with Baumgart in Germany.

Union’s director of men’s professional football, Horst Heldt, praised Wagner’s contributions since joining earlier this year.

“René has contributed his expertise and experience to our club with great dedication over the past few months. We wish him all the best for the next steps in his professional and personal life,” said Heldt.

Die Eisernen have not yet announced a replacement for Wagner in the coaching staff.