By Paul Gorgas
Hertha’s relegation season 2022/23 is history – from now on it should be about the immediate return to the Bundesliga. But which coach tackles the mission of resurgence with the Berliners?
It is already certain: In any case, head coach Pal Dardai (47) will stay with the club – if not as a coach for the professionals, then in the youth field. Dardai has already submitted a written assessment of the condition of the team and the outcome of the season to those responsible for Benjamin Weber (43).
After the 2-1 win in Wolfsburg, Dardai said: “I gave an assessment. Next week you will definitely know who is working and who is not. According to BZ information, the decision as to who will sit on the bench at Hertha in the new season should be made public by the middle of the week at the latest.
If it’s up to striker Florian Niederlechner (32), the answer to this question is: Pal Dardai. Niederlechner: “I wouldn’t mind. Everyone at the club knows what they have in Pal. He’s a club icon, every fan loves him. These are decisions over which I have no influence. But I think the game was something positive.”
In the surprising triumph in Wolfsburg, Dardai successfully used many talents from their own academy alongside experienced professionals – a mix that the capital city club wants to build on in the second division.
Niederlechner joins the second division
Even if Dardai’s future is open: Niederlechner definitely wants to be in the 2nd division and has already had discussions with the club.
The ambitious attacker, who only moved to Berlin in January: “We players screwed up and I’m one of those people who want to try to iron out the mistakes we made. The club and the fans simply belong in the 1st league, we will do everything for that.”
But not only the trainer question has to be clarified – Hertha needs above all the license from the DFL. To do this, the bondholders of the EUR 40 million bond due in November must agree in a written procedure by June 19 to the club’s plan to postpone repayment by two years.
Hertha’s bosses then have until June 7th to show the DFL an improved plan for solvency for the coming season. It must be clarified by June 21 what will happen next with the EUR 40 million bond. And by June 30 at the latest it will be clear whether Hertha will receive the license under what strict conditions – such as proof of liquidity even during the season.
The players are already back from vacation: The start of training is scheduled for June 26th. That’s another reason why a quick decision is needed on the question of coaching – the 2nd division will start on July 28th.