By Robert Matiebel
Now Hertha got it! Sad, tragic, it hurts. After a four-year start, the capital club fell into the 2nd division in unprecedented chaos.
There are umpteen reasons for failure on so many levels. One thing is clear: the descent began with the entry of investor Lars Windhorst in 2019 and a lot, a lot of money.
Hertha’s plan was: to build an expensive team in the short term with the 374 million investor money, which can then be financed in the long term through more sporting success (international business, more TV money through better table positions).
The plan didn’t work out. Those responsible for sport, Michael Preetz and Fredi Bobic, bear the greatest responsibility for this. Their transfers turned out to be flops too often. Whereby Bobic had to buy much cheaper after Preetz spent more than 100 million transfers. Unfortunately, he was not more successful than Preetz.
His goal wasn’t enough in the end: Hertha’s Lucas Tousart Photo: JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
However, it is also clear that the current team should not have been relegated on paper. The professionals bear their responsibility for the decline. In terms of quality, the squad is better than many others in the league. But the potential was rarely exploited.
Why was that? In large part due to the constant unrest that has reigned in the club since Windhorst set fire to Hertha in 2022 with his aim of overthrowing ex-president Werner Gegenbauer.
As a result, Kay Bernstein came to power. It didn’t get any better or quieter. With 777, Bernstein brought a new investor on board, who demands and receives deep intervention and co-determination in the fate of the club. In comparison to the loud but powerless Windhorst probably no improvement.
The worst mistake was then made after the first half of the season. On the one hand, it is understandable to want to replace Bobic due to the lack of sporting success and to declare a strategic change of course. However, Bernstein missed the right time for this.
1: 1 – Hertha has finally been relegated Photo: City Press GmbH
Instead of releasing Bobic from his job at the end of the first half of the season in November, the sports director was first suspended three days before the transfer deadline in January in an unprecedented manner and then fired without notice.
In the remaining three transfer days, the new sporting leadership was unable to get any reinforcements in the relegation battle to Berlin.
The next mistake: With the expulsion of Bobic, coach Sandro Schwarz lost his last confidant in the club. So the coach and his team tumbled further and further into the abyss. Black should have gone earlier too to make room for Pal Dardai.
It was never worse for Hertha
Meanwhile, Hertha is so deep in the mess that the license is in danger. It has never been worse for Hertha (in the last 30 years). What to do now?
Pal Dardai: hope and fear on the sidelines Photo: Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP
► Pal Dardai must remain head coach for rebuild. He embodies the desired Hertha spirit like no other. He enjoys a high level of trust in the club – and also among the fans
► Those responsible for Bernstein and managing director Thomas Herrich must declare immediate promotion as a goal – and assemble a squad that has promotion ambitions.
► At the same time, the Berlin way proclaimed by Bernstein, i.e. making more of your own talents the main pillars in the professional squad, must be followed in the long term and sustainably. Given the tight finances, this is Hertha’s greatest asset for the future.
► Fourth, Bernstein and Investor 777 must communicate transparently which way they want to go with Hertha. Creating trust among fans and members is the most urgent task for the coming period.
Every year in the 2nd league, Hertha costs valuable substance. And there is little left of that at the moment.