Mönchengladbach (AP) – Tayfun Korkut knew what he was getting into as a trainer at Hertha BSC. Adi Hütter does not at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
According to Hütter, he never dreamed that the Austrian, who had been bought from Frankfurt for 7.5 million euros, would seriously play against relegation this season with last year’s Champions League round of 16. Even more: Nine days before the end of the Bundesliga, along with his Berlin colleague Korkut, Hütter is being questioned more than ever – even though the 52-year-old was not in a direct crisis duel with Hertha on Saturday (6:30 p.m. / Sky). can stand on the sidelines.
Hütter in corona isolation
Because of a positive corona test, Hütter is currently being represented by assistant coach Christian Peintinger. It is unclear whether this will protect him from the leave of absence in the event of another setback. “There is plan A and I’m following it,” said Gladbach’s sports director Roland Virkus repeatedly when asked about the coaching situation. Even if “Plan A” meant working with Hütter, of course, there was clear backing for coaches.
Hütter’s compatriot Peintinger is also aware of Borussia’s situation, which is only four points ahead of third-bottom Berlin: “It’s not about the situation and what would happen after the game – it’s just about this game.” Hütter has often mastered difficult situations in his career – including in Frankfurt. However, according to his own statement, the work on the Lower Rhine developed into the “most difficult situation” of his coaching job.
What connects him to Korkut is the fragile overall structure of a club, from which the coach could end up suffering. Of course, Hütter never got the grotesque defensive weakness of the former top club under control. Of course, Hütter and his coaching team struggle with the formation of small groups in the squad. Midfielder Christoph Kramer recently made that public and Virkus didn’t want to deny it either, even if he tried to downplay it: “You will always have groups in football. It’s crucial that these groups don’t work against each other. And I can’t see that .”
However, Hütter started in Gladbach in the summer under different conditions than Korkut in late autumn at Hertha, which was already in serious trouble. The financial constraints of the corona pandemic hit Borussia badly and prevented the urgently needed squad restructuring, which Hütter apparently also wanted. The fact that his advocate Max Eberl quit as head of sport unexpectedly early in January for health reasons also did not help to stabilize the club.
Hertha in permanent crisis mode
At Hertha, on the other hand, the situation is even more serious. Unlike Borussia, which previously played for a decade for European cup places, the club, which would also like to be important beyond the Berlin city limits, has been in permanent crisis mode for years. Korkut has not yet won a race this year. With 23 points, Hertha is on the relegation place, just one point ahead of Stuttgart in 17th place. Last weekend it was a hearty 1: 4 against Eintracht Frankfurt. To make matters worse, investor Lars Windhorst and his Tennor Group are now apparently asking the question of power.
Windhorst could go for a showdown with the not uncontroversial President Werner Gegenbauer at the general meeting in May in order to gain more influence. Managing director Fredi Bobic again complained about the constant unrest in the club’s environment. He calls for rest “from everyone, really from everyone”.
Bobic recently backed the ailing Korkut, but also emphasized: “We have to score points at the weekend.” Another bankruptcy should mean Korkut’s end. “Losing is forbidden, I have nothing against that,” summarized Korkut Bobic’s requirement himself – the job of the Hertha coach seems more endangered than that of Hütter.
Not exactly known as a speaker, Korkut made it clear in public training: “Fuck me, I want you to win.” On Wednesday, the players met alone to eat. People on the Lower Rhine think little of such actions. “We didn’t have a crisis meeting and we don’t have a crisis meeting,” Virkus said, announcing: “Of course the situation is complicated, no question. What helps us? Three points.” This applies to both clubs.