Pal Dardai sees himself facing a mammoth task when he returns as coach to Hertha BSC.
“It worked before, but this time we not only need hard work, but also a bit of luck. Everyone needs strength, positive energy and the mentality to be positive,” said the 47-year-old when he was introduced as head coach of the bottom team the Bundesliga.
Regardless of the outcome of the end of the season with only six games left, Dardai will stay with his Berlin heart club. “Actually, the plan was for me to return to the academy in the summer,” he said. In the youth department, the Hertha record player had also worked in a leading position before and between his first two coaching engagements for the professional selection. “In football, only the next pass counts,” he said, evading his possible plans to remain a permanent coach.
A selection of leading players, which he cannot yet name, is essential for staying up. Kevin-Prince Boateng as the only emotional leader will not be enough to stay up, said Dardai. “Then we can pack up,” said the Hungarian. “We need leaders,” he added.
talks announced
In the next few days, he will find out what role he will give Boateng through a conversation. The 36-year-old Boateng had played a decisive role in the relegation battle last year under the then rescuer coach Felix Magath.
Dardai succeeds Sandro Schwarz, who was suspended after the 2:5 against Schalke 04 on Sunday. The returning coach did not want to criticize the work of his predecessor. However, when asked several times, he said: “There were many mistakes that need to be corrected. I can already see things that don’t work.”
Dardai had already coached Hertha from 2015 to 2019 and in 2021 and twice saved them from the threat of relegation. The first test of the third coaching turn is the home game on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky) against Werder Bremen.
