Tarnat's future at Erzgebirge Aue uncertain

The future of sporting director Michael Tarnat at relegation-threatened third-division soccer club Erzgebirge Aue is uncertain after just three months in office. Following a general meeting of the supporters' association, the club issued a surprising statement on its website regarding its sporting management with regard to the budget planning for 2026/2027. "From April 1, 2026, it will be clear who will be responsible for planning the squad and putting together a competitive team for the new season," the club announced.

New coach Dabrowski winless

Tarnat, who was also present at the general meeting, was only appointed at Aue on January 1. The former international and Champions League winner, who succeeded Matthias Heidrich, is actually responsible for sporting matters. Is he facing the end? Tarnat hired Christoph Dabrowski as the new coach at the beginning of February after Jens Härtel had to leave. But the 47-year-old Dabrowski is winless so far, having conceded six defeats in eight games.

Eight games before the end of the season, Auer are nine points behind a non-relegation place. A drop into the Regionalliga can hardly be averted.

The club also stated that "planning is an ongoing process in which economic performance and sporting ambitions are continuously compared. The two are inextricably linked and both will determine the development of the club in the coming years".

Budget not just for the professionals

President Thomas Schlesinger set the budget target of up to ten million euros. A budget cut of over three million euros has already been planned. Overall, it is not just about the professionals. "In addition to the budget planning for the first team, it is important for us to maintain the basic structures of the club as far as possible.

This includes 50 to 60 jobs in addition to the professional team, the office as well as the youth training center and the stadium brigade for the complete management of the stadium infrastructure," said Schlesinger. There are also 13 other departments such as the wrestlers and the swimmers, "who will continue to need the club as a fist and foundation in the future".