“We won’t talk for that long”
Exasperated Hertha coach Dardai breaks off the press conference
April 3, 2024, 3:31 p.m
The chances of Hertha BSC being promoted back to the Bundesliga are slim. Coach Pal Dardai is now reacting drastically to criticism: he simply breaks off a press conference because he doesn’t like a journalist’s question.
Coach Pal Dardai from second division soccer team Hertha BSC caused a stir with a memorable exit. Before the away game at SC Paderborn on Friday (6.30 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de) The Hungarian stood up at the press conference after being asked by a “Kicker” journalist, very angry, left the room – and did not return.
After the first question from a journalist, the Hungarian said that he had written that Hertha lacked a concept. “You wrote that Hertha BSC has no concept. And as long as you see it that way, we won’t talk. Next question please. Thank you,” said the 48-year-old.
When the reporter asked the question again a little later, Dardai had had enough and left, visibly annoyed. He got up and left; for him, this press conference was over after about five minutes. He left Hertha’s press spokeswoman Vera Krings and professional Fabian Reese on the podium; after moments of silence, the press conference continued. Reese completed the Q&A session alone for about ten minutes.
Not Dardai’s first conflict with the “kicker”
The “kicker” himself writes that in a text from March 14th he “addressed the development of the team and the coaching staff with a view to the summer” as well as internal considerations about a possible Dardai dismissal at the end of January. Dardai had already shot against the trade magazine the next day: “People who report something like that should find another club and report on it.” Now the “Kicker” is speculating about the Hungarian, whose contract expires at the end of the season: “It is doubtful whether he will improve his cards with Hertha’s bosses with such public appearances…”
The Bundesliga relegated team, ninth in the table, is eight points behind third-placed Düsseldorf before the match day and has already missed many chances to intervene in the fight for a promotion place over the course of the season. Dardai himself emphasized at the start of the season that Hertha was in a transition year, given the major personnel changes. He rejected criticism of his style as pointless. The capital club opens the 28th matchday in Paderborn on Friday.
Last weekend, Hertha made up a 2-0 deficit in the duel between the traditional clubs against 1. FC Nürnberg, but missed out on victory again in the 3-3 draw. In the second half of the season, the club from Berlin’s Westend has three wins, four draws, three defeats and 20:20 goals – not enough to claim to be able to compete in the first class again in the near future.