Coach Sandro Schwarz from Bundesliga club Hertha BSC is sticking with his captain despite the absence of Marvin Plattenhardt in the training camp.
“Platte remains captain, there are wildly mixed topics,” said the 44-year-old at Bradenton’s AMG Academy, where Hertha trained until January 14. “We had early discussions about his vaccination status.” Plattenhardt was not allowed to enter the United States due to a lack of vaccinations. He is currently training with Hertha’s U23 in Berlin.
Schwarz: “You should respect your decision”
Until the turn of the year, Schwarz still had hope that the regulations for entry into the United States would change. “Of course it would have been better if he had been here, but you should respect his decision,” said Schwarz.
The absence of the 30-year-old also has nothing to do with the fact that his contract will not be extended. The seven-time national player, who switched from 1. FC Nürnberg to Hertha in 2014, knew beforehand that he would have to look for a new club after this season.
Equally clear is the competition on the left-back position before the season restarts on January 21 at VfL Bochum. “It doesn’t change anything,” says Schwarz with regard to various speculations that Plattenhardt lost his place in the starting eleven right from the start due to his absence from the training camp. “With Platte, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Lukas Ullrich we have three players in this position, one will play against VfL Bochum,” Schwarz is annoyed at the discussions about his captain: “Five days of wild speculation is too wild. “
