Hertha BSC must “tighten their belts” – minus 79.8 million

General meeting in Berlin

Despite a negative annual result in the high double-digit million range, Hertha BSC wants to achieve medium-term success. “We want to improve substantially in the short and medium term over the next two or three seasons and strive for a black zero in the annual result,” said Hertha managing director Thomas E. Herrich at the general meeting on Sunday in Berlin. The 58-year-old had previously had to announce to the 1,551 members present that Hertha BSC GmbH & Co. KGaA, which was spun off from the parent club, had lost 79.8 million euros as of June 30, 2022.

As a result of the loss, equity shrank from EUR 107.5 million to EUR 29.5 million. Above all, by reducing personnel costs in all areas – the biggest item, according to Herrich, is the player budget – the overall result can be made more friendly. “We have agreed a clear course with the presidency. We have to tighten our belts.” In addition, the corona pandemic with all its consequences “hit us hard,” said Herrich, “we have to consolidate extensively”.

In order for the annual result to be positive in the coming seasons, sporting success must also be achieved, at least the class should be maintained. “We have a plan B in the drawer,” says Herrich with regard to a possible relegation from the German upper house: “Because you have to have it from a commercial point of view.” The Berliners have collected 14 points from 15 games so far and are therefore in 15th place , tied with VfB Stuttgart on the relegation place. For comparison: At the same time last season you had four points more on the account, in the end only the rescue came through relegation.

The second class should of course be prevented. “You can see that something is changing for the better, it runs through the club. The team does a lot of things right, but the yield is not there. That’s a weird feeling. But there is still a long way to go,” said sporting director Fredi Bobic, under whom players have been signed for EUR 33.8 million since he took office in the summer of 2021, while professionals left the club for EUR 72.55 million in return.

In addition, the members voted on the introduction of a girls’ and women’s football section. In addition, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Klaus Brüggemann, survived an application to be voted out.

Our CEO @HerrichThomas on the financial situation: “We have to tighten our belts and are following a clear course. However, we are not stirring up fear, but rather sharpening our senses and needing to be aware of where we stand!”#HaHoHe pic.twitter.com/9WqqV7vkKV

— Hertha BSC (@HerthaBSC) November 13, 2022

To home page