Almost two months after replacing managing director Fredi Bobic, Hertha BSC has now also parted ways with squad planner Dirk Dufner. Chief scout Babacar Wane and Johannes Waigand from squad management were also released by the Berlin Bundesliga club on Monday.
“These decisions were made as part of our restructuring, reorganization and economic consolidation measures. Otherwise – as in the other past cases – I ask for your understanding that we do not want to comment further,” said Managing Director Thomas Herrich on Monday evening when asked the German Press Agency. The rbb and the “Bild” newspaper had previously reported on the personal details.
The trio belonged to the circle of confidants of the former sports director Bobic, who was relieved of his duties at the end of January. Technical director Sebastian Zelichowski and team manager Thomas Westphal also had to go with the 51-year-old. Bobic is defending himself in court against the extraordinary dismissal that took place later. A decision is still pending.
Bobic brought Dufner to Berlin in the summer of 2021. Both had worked together at Hannover 96 a few years earlier. Bobic and Wane shared a time together at Eintracht Frankfurt, and the former Hertha sports director had also hired Waigand.
Hertha BSC is taking an austerity course in view of a tense financial situation. This month, 777 Partners was introduced as a new investor. The American company wants to invest 100 million euros in the Berlin club, primarily to stabilize the economic situation. As in the past two seasons, Hertha is fighting relegation in the Bundesliga.
