German head coach Christian Streich to leave Freiburg after 29 years

By Can Erozden

Christian Streich, a German football head coach, will leave Freiburg at the end of this season after spending 29 years at the same club, he confirmed on Monday.

"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. 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," Streich said on the German club's website.

The 58-year-old said he had "special moments and memories" at Freiburg and is "extremely grateful" for the club's cooperation and support for nearly three decades.

Streich, who had played for Freiburg, became the club's youth team coach 1995. Then he took charge of Freiburg U19 team.

He worked as Freiburg's assistant head coach from 2007 to 2011, before being appointed to the head coach position.

Streich, who coached Freiburg's senior team for the last 12 years, guided the club to return to the top-flight German Bundesliga in 2016.

He also led Freiburg to the 2022 German Cup final but RB Leipzig beat them on penalties.

Under his helm, Freiburg have also qualified for the European Cups on four occasions.