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Kay Bernstein at the general meeting
Photo:
Britta Pedersen / dpa
The members of Hertha BSC dare a small revolution.
With 1,670 out of 3,016 valid votes, they elected communications manager and ex-ultra Kay Bernstein as the new president of their club on Sunday.
The 41-year-old wants to initiate a drastic reorientation in terms of content at the capital club.
“Our old lady is in intensive care.
Now we can heal them holistically from the inside and make them healthy,” he said after his election and thanked them for their trust.
A huge cheer erupted at the announcement.
"We need an honest, real reset," he had previously said.
Bernstein prevailed against the preferred candidate of the supervisory board, the long-standing CDU member of the Bundestag Frank Steffel and the blatant outsider Marvin Brumme.
After Bernstein's speech, there was long applause and standing ovations.
Bernstein has not yet had any experience as an official
The election had been eagerly awaited after 14 years under Werner Gegenbauer.
It's a victory for the active fan base and a crushing defeat for the club's establishment.
Bernstein used to be the lead singer in the East Curve and is still involved in the fans' social projects.
Even though he's now in the main stand at the stadium, it's precisely because of this connection that his success is an exciting personality.
Bernstein promised better internal and external communication, more cohesion and, above all, better integration of fans and members.
Now the manager of an event company has to implement his announcements.
So far, he has no experience in leading a Bundesliga club or as an official.
The 41-year-old admitted he can't do it alone, but he can lead one and good people.
He wants to build a team, it needs a truce with everyone in and around the club, which he also included investor Lars Windhorst.
The Berliners have turbulent months behind them.
Only in the relegation did the Berliners manage to stay up in the Bundesliga under Felix Magath at the end of May.
Just one day later, the controversial President Werner Gegenbauer resigned after 14 years in office.
Hertha is in the midst of a massive change in personnel, but most of the key positions have now been filled.
ara/dpa