From BZ/dpa
At his first general meeting as President of Bundesliga soccer club Hertha BSC, Kay Bernstein took stock after 140 days in office.
“It feels like 360 days when I notice everything that has happened,” said the 42-year-old in Hall 22 at the radio tower on Sunday, “I would like to thank you because I was welcomed with open arms everywhere.”
In the center of his analysis, Bernstein was concerned with living together in the club. “We have to create a sense of togetherness, and we did it brilliantly. We managed to make the club a little more humble and calm. And this basic feeling of togetherness, of community, is the basis for us to be able to work together successfully in the future.”
Bernstein thanked the employees from the office, who “visited Bernstein every day and probably annoyed him too”. In view of the third general meeting and the associated additional work and the consequences of the corona pandemic, “the employees are walking on their gums. I’m so happy that people can relax a bit.”
Bernstein briefly touched on the problems with investor Lars Windhorst that had prevented the president’s 100-day balance sheet. The entrepreneur also pointed out the tasks that Hertha will have to face in the near future. In addition to blind football and the establishment of a women’s football department, Bernstein also announced a new stadium by 2030. “For the first time we are able to have the political support of Senator Iris Spranger,” said Bernstein, who has been in negotiations with the authorities with Managing Director Thomas Herrich for months. A feasibility study for a new stadium in the Olympic Park will be available in the summer. Long before Bernstein’s time, Hertha had aimed to open a new stadium by 2025. However, a delay had been apparent for some time.
Overall, Bernstein sees things on the right track, but a long way from the goal. “Patience is always difficult as a Berliner, but we will need patience on our long way,” said Bernstein.