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Sascha Lewandowski dies aged 44

Alex ChafferJune 9, 2016

The former head coach of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen was found dead in his Bochum home. He left his most recent role as Union Berlin head coach in March due to health issues.

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Sascha Lewandowski
Image: picture-alliance/Eibner-Pressefoto

The former head coach of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and German second division side Union Berlin has been found dead aged just 44.

Police confirmed Lewandowski was found dead at his home in the German town of Bochum on Thursday.

The cause of the 44-year-old's passing is not yet known.

Bundesliga Leverkusen gegen Bremen
Lewandowski was seen as a rising star in German coachingImage: Schwarz/Bongarts/Getty Images

A blossoming career cut short

Lewandowski was appointed head coach of Union Berlin in September 2015 but agreed to leave the club after only six months in charge suffering from burn-out syndrome.

"We are deeply shocked and incredibly sad," a statement on the website of Union Berlin read. "We send our most sincere condolonces and our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sascha Lewandowski."

Lewandowski coached Leverkusen in the 2012/13 Bundesliga season after previously being in charge of the club's Under-19 team.

After making a return to the youth ranks, he became interim coach at the end of the 2013/14 season before taking over at Union Berlin.