Sunday January 24th 2021
"The arguments are missing"
Labbadia and Preetz at Hertha probably before the end
After the home defeat against Bremen, the mood at Hertha BSC seems to have bottomed out. Instead of participating in the race for international places, the capital club is in a relegation battle. The sporting downturn now apparently has consequences for coach Labbadia and manager Preetz.
At Hertha BSC, the signs point to an early separation from coach Bruno Labbadia and possibly also from manager Michael Preetz. Labbadia knows the rules of the soccer business very well. The totally disappointed coach did not want to attach any importance to the news of his allegedly already decided end after the 1: 4 against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. "I got to know and appreciate those responsible in Berlin so much that you come to me before you go public," said Labbadia after the next sporting blow.
A few hours after the end of the head coach, which was rumored to be fixed, the "Bild" newspaper added and reported that Preetz's resignation had already been decided. There is not yet an exact time for the double leave of absence. But: "In any case, the duo will no longer sit on the bench next Saturday in Frankfurt," says the report.
Dardai favorite to train
For the time being, there was no reaction from club officials to the personal details. A usual digital media talk with Labbadia on Sunday at 12.30 p.m. has not yet been canceled. It is unclear what role financier Lars Windhorst, who is considered a critic of Preetz 'conservative innovation course, plays. Former Hertha coach and current youth coach Pal Dardai is said to be the favorite for the successors of Labbadia. He had already trained the Berliners until the summer of 2019 and, after a voluntary break, heads the U16. His son Marton is in the Hertha professional squad, but is currently injured.
Preetz, as the manager of Sport Labbadia's direct superior, verbally brushed aside a now probable separation of the hapless head coach Labbadia. "We sat together in the dressing room and didn't discuss any decisions," said the 53-year-old. Before the game, around 250 Hertha fans demonstrated for Preetz to be fired in front of the Olympic Stadium. However, the former striker continues to enjoy great reputation among many fans.
Labbadia "not at a loss, but shocked"
After separating from Dardai a year and a half ago, Labbadia was the fourth coach that Preetz hired. Jürgen Klinsmann followed Ante Covic and then his assistant Alexander Nouri. But there was no success at Hertha. If Preetz had to leave, it would be the end of an era. The Düsseldorf native has been with the club for almost 25 years. After his time as a player, he was initially assistant to Dieter Hoeneß. In 2009 he took over his position as manager.
After the 1: 4 against Bremen, Labbadia and Preetz were deeply disappointed with the sporty decline. "The arguments are missing because we are simply not delivering enough results, and I am responsible," said Labbadia. He was "not at a loss, but shocked". Preetz also did not want to gloss over the situation in table 14th, two points before the relegation place. "It is absolutely right that we have to look backwards at the moment. I believe that we are in a situation that is extremely difficult."
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