Hertha BSC Berlin wants to be successful with Lars Windhorst in the Bundesliga

Efears of existence and financial hardships are currently not bothering Hertha BSC despite the corona crisis and many open questions about the future. Thanks to investor Lars Windhorst, the Bundesliga soccer team is financially in better shape than ever – and finally wants to use it for sport. During the summer break, some stars could still come to Berlin. Before the first team training on Tuesday, the expectations of coach Bruno Labbadia and the Big City Club are higher than they have been for a long time.

What financial options does Hertha have before the season?

In October, Windhorst and its holding company Tennor will have invested 374 million euros in the club. Of this, 50 million flowed this month, which should primarily be invested in transfers, and in autumn the last package of over 100 million will follow. Windhorst started making donations in June 2019 and already holds a total of 66.6 percent of Hertha BSC GmbH & Co.KgaA.

Can Berliners now bid for Ronaldo, Messi and Co.?

Definitely not. However, Hertha is able to sign players who would have been completely out of reach a year and a half ago. Names like those of Frankfurt’s national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, Luka Jovic from Real Madrid or Ricardo Rodríguez from AC Milan have already been associated with the Berliners. Hertha, however, wants to oblige, not to spend all money immediately and to get more professionals than just one big star.

Can Hertha hope for more money?

Tennor itself is no longer to be expected, but there are other options. The main sponsor Tedi was separated prematurely – one year before the original contract expired. That is why we are looking for a new donor who will also take up the free space on the shirt chest. Tedi is said to have paid around 7.5 million euros per season. Now, if possible, 20 million euros are to be raised. According to media reports, Hertha is also endeavoring to get the US global corporations Amazon and Tesla involved.

Who is in charge at the capital club?

Manager Michael Preetz emphasizes that the sporting competence lies entirely with Hertha. For this, Arne Friedrich was installed as the new sports director. Windhorst personally likes to stay in the background, but was allowed to have two of nine seats on the Supervisory Board filled as part of the deal. The former national goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and commercial lawyer Thomas Werlen take this. In addition, consultant Marc Kosicke, whose clients include trainers Jürgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann, will work for Tennor in an advisory capacity.

Does the qualification for the European Cup have to succeed immediately?

After tenth place in the previous season, things have to go uphill at least. There was “theoretically no reason why Hertha shouldn’t even become German champion and play in the Champions League upstairs,” Windhorst told the “Bild” newspaper. Hertha can certainly not keep up with the top clubs around record champions FC Bayern Munich, but that should remain a long-term goal. In any case, Windhorst has made a long-term commitment.

How big is the pressure on trainer Bruno Labbadia?

The expectations are huge after the 54-year-old Hertha helped the upswing after the Corona break. The fast relegation went up, there was also more attractive football to watch. Before the start of the league on September 18, Labbadia now has a complete preparation to shape a team according to his wishes with a lot of money. The training is done entirely in Berlin, training camps are not planned.

Who will be Hertha’s new boss on the pitch?

Captain Vedad Ibisevic has not received a new contract, and the experienced Per Skjelbred and Salomon Kalou have also left. Hertha is also looking for a new hierarchy and has to clarify open questions in the squad. The Frenchman Lucas Tousart, who was signed by Olympique Lyon in the winter for 25 million euros, is the only new one so far. Among other things, we are looking for a goalkeeper who will fight for number one with veteran Rune Jarstein (35).