In an interview on the Hertha BSC club website, ex-striker Andriy Voronin praised the designated head coach Sandro Schwarz to the skies.
“He’s just playing football 24 hours a day. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Sandro always wants to get the best out of his team. We were very successful and won a lot of games, but he always wanted to go on and do more,” said Voronin, who had worked as Schwarz’s assistant at Dynamo Moscow until Russia’s attack on his native Ukraine in February.
So far, Hertha has not issued an official statement on Schwarz’s personnel. A commitment is expected shortly. After losing the cup final, the 43-year-old left his job at the Russian capital club on May 29.
Voronin defends him on the Hertha website against possible critical questions about his involvement with Dynamo. The fact that Schwarz stayed in Russia despite the attack on Ukraine is not a problem for the former Hertha striker.
“As a person and as a coach, Sandro did everything right”
On the contrary. “As a person and as a coach, Sandro did everything right. He showed that it wasn’t just about sport or money for him, but about not letting the local people down. That’s what sets him apart,” said Voronin.
Voronin, who played for Hertha in 2008/09, was not asked whether he would work again as Schwarz’s assistant coach in Berlin.
But he leaves no doubt about the qualities of his former boss. “He’s a very ambitious guy and wants to see all players give 100 percent in every training session. I have a very good impression of Sandro as a coach.”