Personnel changes at Rot Weiss Ahlen: The Oberliga club is looking for a new coach. Luka Tankulic is taking on a new role, while a former Essen player is moving into his previous position.

It’s now official: Luka Tankulic is no longer head coach of Oberliga club Rot Weiss Ahlen. Forecasting announced this coaching dismissal two days ago.

Ahlen had previously suffered a 0-4 defeat in the Münsterland derby against Preußen’s U23 team in front of around 600 spectators at their home stadium, Wersestadion. It was yet another disappointing performance by Tankulic’s protégés in front of their fans. The board has now taken action.

“If you’re not passionate about it, then you’re in the wrong place. Then you have no business being in this sport. I expect a reaction to the 3-0 defeat in Clarholz on Friday,” Tankulic had emphasized to Forecasting in the week before the Münster derby. The hoped-for reaction did not materialize.

However, Tankulic will remain in Ahlen—as sporting director. “It was important to me to be honest—towards the team, the club, and myself. I feel that the team now needs a new impetus. In my new role as sporting director, I can continue to take on responsibility and, together with the board, set the sporting course for the future,” he commented on his new role.

The club management fully supports this decision. “We had a very open and constructive discussion on Monday. Luka took the initiative himself and expressed his desire to take on his responsibilities in a different form in the future. We greatly respect this step. Luka knows the club, has a strong network, and will set the course for the future together with us as sporting director,” said RWA board member Dennis Kocker.

Until a new head coach is appointed, playing assistant coach Kevin Freiberger will take over the management of the team. He will be assisted by U19 coach Martin Hanskötter and assistant coach Petrick Piontek. “We have great confidence in the interim team. Kevin, Martin, and Petrick will be coaching the team with full energy in the coming days,” said Kocker. Freiberger, who was born in Essen, has played 16 times for RWE in his career. He has played the most games for one club, 192, for Sportfreunde Lotte.