Dardai back in charge at struggling Hertha Berlin

Pal Dardai had no doubts about stepping back up to coach Hertha Berlin again following his appointment on a deal that runs until the end of the 2021-22 season. 

Having played for the club between 1997 and 2012, the former Hungary international was head coach from 2015 through to 2019. 

Since then, Ante Covic, Jurgen Klinsmann and, most recently, Bruno Labbadia have been in charge, the latter fired – along with sports director Michael Preetz – following Saturday’s 4-1 home loss to Werder Bremen that left Hertha down in 14th position in the Bundesliga table. 

The club have moved quickly to find a replacement, returning to a familiar face by promoting Dardai, who had been working in the academy. 

“It certainly wasn’t my plan to move from the under-16s back to being first team coach, but nobody needs telling what Hertha means to me, so there was no doubt in my mind that I would be ready to help out in this situation,” Dardai said.  

“I am looking forward to the challenge and working together with the team.”

 @paldardai is back! 

The 44-year-old is officially our new head coach. He will be assisted by ‘Zecke’ #Neuendorf and Admir #Hamzagić #HaHoHe pic.twitter.com/irQB1nNeVt

— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) January 25, 2021

Dardai’s former assistants Andreas Neuendorf and Admir Hamzagic have also returned to their previous roles, joining fitness coaches Henrik Kuchno and Hendrik Vieth, plus goalkeeping coach Zsolt Petry, on a new-look staff. 

Hertha – who are winless in four games, scoring just once during that run – are next in action on Saturday, travelling to in-form Eintracht Frankfurt.