Hertha's Lucas Tousart (M), Florian Niederlechner (l) and Marton Dardai (r) are disappointed © Soeren Stache/dpa
The relegation of Hertha BSC is certain. Coach Dardai does not yet know whether he will also be on the sidelines in the 2nd division. Kevin-Prince Boateng is deeply saddened.
Berlin - Pal Dardai has left open immediately after the relegation of Bundesliga club Hertha BSC whether he will also take over the role of head coach of the 2nd league. "I can't say it today," said the Hungarian after the 1-1 (0-0) draw against VfL Bochum on the penultimate matchday on the TV channel Sky: "I work at Hertha BSC - in which position, you have to wait and see." You have to "make an analysis" and "talk about things".
Internally, Dardai, who took over as coach for the third time at the capital club in mid-April, but could not prevent relegation, is considered the preferred candidate for rebuilding in League Two. Emotionally, the 47-year-old led the way: "You have to tick off what was, you always have to look ahead."
Kevin-Prince Boateng, who fought back tears in the Sky interview, was much more affected. "I can't realize it yet. It's just sad, I love the club. I came here knowing that not everything would be rosy," said the midfielder, who needs "a bit of time" and wants to "think" because of his personal future.
It is clear to him, however, that after a few years of chaos, the club must be "completely cleaned up from the bottom up". Above all, the fans deserve a quick return to the Bundesliga, said Boateng. The team played "under all sow" during the season, "but they always stood behind us". Just like against Bochum. The fans were "angry, disappointed and sad - that's completely normal," said Boateng: "I can understand them, I'm a Hertha fan myself." dpa