Report: German coach Alexander Zorniger emerges in DC United coaching search

Alexander Zorniger - VfB Stuttgart - sidelines coaching

D.C. United remain in search of a new head coach to replace Ben Olsen, and Pablo Maurer of The Athletic is reporting that German coach Alexander Zorniger is the latest name to enter the candidate pool.

After a playing career for German side SV Bonlanden, Zorniger became a coach and spent most of his career in his native Germany. He earned his chops in the lower divisions, then led Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart for five months in 2015 before the team was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. Before that, he led RB Leipzig to two successive promotions as they climbed the German soccer pyramid.


Zorniger then joined Denmark's Brondby IF in 2016, where enjoyed his most successful run as manager and helped Brondby lift the DBU Pokalen in 2017-18. He was fired in February 2019, however, so D.C. would be his first post if he indeed joins the Black-and-Red.


While D.C. are still searching for a new head coach, Maurer's report states that Seattle Sounders assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda remains in pole position to succeed Olsen.