Hertha’s homestead – the myth of the Olympic site

By Paul Gorgas

When Hertha’s pros and members of the coaching team drive to the Olympic site in Westend in the afternoon, the search for a parking space can sometimes take longer…

In contrast to many Bundesliga clubs, there are no reserved parking spaces at the Berliners in the Friesenhof, where the locker room, training center and office are located. So the stars sometimes have to do their rounds searching.

Reason: Hertha is only a guest on the Olympic grounds – similar to the Olympic Stadium. The club does not own any buildings or spaces; the club rents both from the Senate.

The parking problem seemed already solved for ex-coach Felix Magath (69). An area was cordoned off for the coach last season. But after one of the many associations that are also based in the Olympic Park complained, Hertha had to release the space again.

Those responsible for sports have been bothered by the rental situation in the Olympic Park for a long time. The club has to coordinate all changes with representatives of the Senate, so there is always a delay in modernization. Some things are not permitted at all for reasons of monument protection.

The equipment on the pitches is also viewed by many as outdated: only one grass pitch is heated. There are no floodlight masts on the professional field.

In addition, secret training is impossible: the site is accessible to everyone. For units closed to the public, stewards are on guard and ask curious visitors to move on. Foreign scouts can take a quick look or take a quick photo of the extensive area.

There is enough opportunity for fans to see the stars officially. As a rule, two units per week are open to the public.

At the end of training, the pros run back from the field to the dressing room. If you post yourself at the square exit, there is a good chance of getting a photo or an autograph.

In the future, capacities for Hertha’s new women’s teams are to be created – and at some point there will be space for a pure football stadium on the site.

Other sports are also at home on campus: In addition to the water polo players from Spandau 04, some of Germany’s best pentathletes also train in the Olympic Park.

While the buildings look ancient on the outside, they are ultra-modern on the inside. A new training center was opened in 2019, which professionals and youngsters use.

Since 2020 there has also been a medical therapy center. The office, which is located opposite the training rooms, was also modernized in 2020. President Kay Bernstein (42) has had his own office there since last year.

The sanctuary of the professional area – the dressing room – is located on the ground floor of the training building. In the same wing there is a small kitchen and a lounge area. The trainer’s office is on a mezzanine level, and dining is on the second floor.

If you want to meet the players or those responsible in the vicinity of the Olympic site, there are several options. At noon, many employees of the office – sometimes including sports director Benjamin Weber (43) – eat a currywurst at the Olympische Brücke snack bar.