Following the disappointing results and negative developments on the pitch in recent weeks, Hertha BSC’s presidential board held in-depth talks and came to the decision to immediately part ways with managing director for sport Michael Preetz. “Hertha BSC have a lot to thank Michael Preetz for. He has been a close part of this club for almost 25 years, first as a player and now almost 12 years as part of the management,” said president Werner Gegenbauer, adding: “During that time, Michael Preetz has established Hertha as a Bundesliga club, but looking at the development both in the last campaign and the current one, we have decided to take a different direction for his role in the future. Nevertheless, I want to express my sincerest thanks to Michael Preetz for his fine work for so many years.”

“I am incredibly thankful for the many years that I have been able to play and work at my beloved Hertha BSC, both on and off the pitch,” said Michael Preetz. “It has always been intense work, with all the highs and lows that come with working for a football club. We have taken huge strides during that time to become a club where we can say – and I’m convinced of this – that the future belongs to Berlin. I wish all the members, fans and my colleagues all the very best for the future and would like to thank the board members for the faith they placed in me these past years,” Preetz concluded. Current sporting director Arne Friedrich will take on his responsibilities until the end of the season.

Bruno Labbadia also departs

The Old Lady have also decided to replace Bruno Labbadia as head coach. “Week in, week out, Bruno and his coaching staff have invested a lot of hard work into the team’s development and we would like to thank him greatly for that. Ultimately, however, the return of 17 points from 18 games leaves us in a very precarious situation. After much deliberation, we feel that a change of head coach can give the team fresh impetus. We will clarify his successor as head coach in the coming days,” said chairman Carsten Schmidt.

(Hertha BSC)