Jena, 08.04.2026. At Regionalliga club FC Carl Zeiss Jena, a surprising coaching change appears to be on the horizon. According to media reports, the club and head coach Volkan Uluc could part ways prematurely after the upcoming cup final.
- Club: FC Carl Zeiss Jena (Regionalliga Nordost)
- Personnel: Head coach Volkan Uluc
- Contract situation: Current contract runs until summer 2027
- Possible separation: After the Thüringenpokal final on May 23, 2026
- Next opponent: FSV Zwickau (league catch-up match) / ZFC Meuselwitz (cup)
Contract termination discussed despite long-term commitment
Actually, the focus at FC Carl Zeiss Jena should be entirely on preparing for the upcoming catch-up match against FSV Zwickau. However, speculation about the sporting leadership level is causing media unrest instead. As the “Bild” newspaper reported on Wednesday, a premature termination of the cooperation with coach Volkan Uluc is being considered.
Uluc still has a valid contract in Jena until the summer of 2027. Nevertheless, the internal decision is said to have matured to part ways after the final in the Thüringenpokal. The final, which is of the highest priority for the club from a financial perspective as well, will take place on May 23 against league rivals ZFC Meuselwitz.
Background: The significance of the Thüringenpokal for FCC
The traditional club FC Carl Zeiss Jena, once three-time GDR champion and European Cup finalist in 1981, is the city’s sporting flagship. Home matches are played at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in the Jenaer Paradies, which was recently converted into a modern football-only arena. The victory in the Thüringenpokal and the associated entry into the first main round of the DFB-Pokal is traditionally of enormous economic and sporting importance for the club, as it brings in guaranteed TV and prize money from the DFB in the six-figure range.
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Carl Zeiss Jena and coach Uluc may part ways at the end of the season
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.