By Paul Gorgas and Carsten Priefer
This return is a small sensation – and now official! Pal Dardai (47) takes over the coaching position at Hertha – for the third time. The Hertha record player (286 Bundesliga appearances) follows Sandro Schwarz (44), who initially stayed in office on Saturday after the bad 5-2 draw at Schalke, but has now finally been fired.
Sports director Benjamin Weber (43) in a club statement: “After the frightening defeat in Gelsenkirchen, we have used the past one and a half days intensively to analyze and evaluate our situation, also together with Sandro. We came to the decision, for our goal of relegation, to set a new stimulus for the team for the few remaining games.
In addition to black, assistant Volkan Bulut (41) and video analyst Daniel Fischer (29) also have to go. Assistant coach Tamas Bodog (52) remains in office, supports Dardai in the relegation mission.
Pal Dardai was last Hertha coach in 2021 Photo: picture alliance
Dardai says: “Everyone knows my relationship with Hertha BSC, so I didn’t have to think long when the call came. There are still six games left, maybe two more, and I will do everything with the team to ensure that this club stays in the Bundesliga. It won’t be an easy task, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Dardai has already twice saved Hertha from relegation
Dardai came to the capital club as a firefighter in 2015, stayed until 2019, then stepped in again in January 2021 and saved the Berliners from relegation again. In November 2021 Dardai had to leave.
Weber: “Pal has already shown twice that he can stabilize a team and lead them out of such situations with his clear manner and his plan. We are now convinced of that.”
Now the comeback! Hertha is in 18th place with 22 points, Dardai and the team have six games left to at least reach the relegation rank. One thing is already clear: This rescuer task will be the hardest in Dardais’ career.
At the same time, Schwarz’s time in Berlin ends. Despite the sporting descent, those responsible held on to the club’s popular but unsuccessful coach (points average 0.79) for a long time. But after the desolate performance at Schalke and the fall to last place, the bosses had to act.
Schwarz also understands this: “I was happy to be a Hertha coach and would of course have wished that our work had been rewarded with more points. But looking at the table, I can understand that those responsible have decided on a new path.”
Sporting director Weber: “Sandro and his coaching team invested a lot of work, energy and passion in the development of the team every day. We would like to thank him for that and wish him all the best for the future.”