Football Season Guide

Hertha has slowly sunk further and further in recent seasons due to the mismanagement of the club and last season it almost imploded. An awful campaign was only rescued in the second leg of a play-off against Hamburger, as the Berliners lived to fight another day in the top flight. The last campaign has served as a big wake-up call for the club with President Werner Gegenbauer stepping down from his role after 14 years. His replacement Kay Bernstein has a clear vision for the future and hopefully, this can bring about a positive change both behind the scenes and on the pitch. Sandro Schwartz is the latest coach to be appointed and there is optimism from within that he can finally be the man to take the club forward, this must, however, be taken with a pinch of salt given that he is the eighth manager appointed in the last 3 years. Hertha’s recruitment over the last few seasons has been erratic but this summer they have been more thoughtful with their purchases. Defender Filip Uremovic will provide good competition in the centre-back area, while Jonjoe Kenny is a solid addition at right-back, having previously played for Schalke. There is still plenty of work to do and more recruits are likely to be needed. Ivan Sunjic will help out in defensive midfield and loan signing Chidera Ejuke could be a good bit of business for the left wing, but an out-and-out goalscorer should be on the wishlist, as well as a creative midfielder. Coach Schwartz should make Hertha more attractive with an attacking style likely to be adopted from his time at previous clubs Dynamo Moscow and FSV Mainz. The lack of leaders in the squad could again be an issue with only veteran squad player Kevin-Prince Boateng a real voice in the dressing room.