Hertha Berlin

On Thursday, following a 1-0 win in their final friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig, the first team departed on a well-earned winter break until 2nd December. The head coach was also looking forward to a few quiet days with the family. “I will spend Christmas with the family. Unfortunately, I will eat too much of this or that. What it will be? I’ll allow myself be surprised. I am responsible for decorating the tree,” said Sandro Schwarz with a laugh. At the same time, he explained the Berliner mantra for the next few weeks: Recharge the batteries, but stay on the ball. “This holiday is now about regenerating but also carrying out individual plans. We have clear expectations which we have spoken with the boys about for this time without training,” explained the head coach, suggesting the path for the coming weeks.

Vladimír Darida, whose contract at Hertha was due to expire next summer, has moved to Aris FC in Greece after a seven and a half year spell in Berlin. Both clubs agreed the transfer on Wednesday (14/12/22). “Vladi came to us and said that he’d like to move abroad for a new challenge. He’s shown that he bleeds blue and white over his long seven-year stint here, and so he deserved this opportunity,” stated Fredi Bobic.

Shortly before Christmas, another personnel decision has been made in the capital, with Dongjun Lee leaving the club after just under a year and making the move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in his homeland. “It’s a shame that due to a diverse range of injuries, Dongjun was unfortunately unable to show his potential at Hertha BSC over a sustained period of time. Together with him, we had hoped that he would take off with us from a sporting perspective and remain a part of the national team, which would have helped him in relation to his national service, which is coming up for him next year,” said Fredi Bobic following his departure on Thursday. “With the transfer back to his homeland, we have managed to find a good solution for all sides. We wish Dongjun all the best for the future,“ continued Hertha’s managing director for sport and communication.

With the winter break in full swing, our Herthaner are off enjoying their Christmas holidays. However, preparations for the second half of the season will begin soon enough, as Hertha BSC look to set the groundwork for a successful end to 2022/23. The Blue-Whites will face VfL Bochum in their first Bundesliga fixture in the new year (21/01/23, 15:30 CET). Head coach Sandro Schwarz will welcome back his team for various performance tests on 2nd January. Just 24 hours later, the team will board a flight to training camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. “The focus will be on working on certain individual key areas. We have brought in some stability and seen some good growth, but still need to take further steps,” said Schwarz.

Christmas, a time of peace and goodwill, is also always a good time to take a deep breath and reflect. Our president is among those taking a look back at the past year and wants you to join him in doing so.

Hertha have played 15 games so far this season in the Bundesliga, scoring 19 goals in the process. Due to the break in the season for the World Cup, the club couldn’t choose a best goal for the first half of the season, instead the best goal of the season so far. The award was presented by Betway.

As 2022 comes to an end, 2023 is just around the corner. The last 12 months were as intense as they were moving. “Behind us is a year in Blue and White with a lot of challenges for our club, and not just from a sporting perspective. The most important moment was definitely winning the relegation play-off and managing to stay in the league,” said Kay Bernstein, looking back at the first half of the year.

Davie Selke will continue playing in the Bundesliga after the winter break, but no longer with the Hertha flag on his chest. The forward is leaving the capital after five and a half years to join 1. FC Köln. Both clubs agreed on the transfer on Monday (02.01.23). “We have always spoken openly with Davie about his situation and his contract with us, which ends in the summer. He had the opportunity to move within the Bundesliga during this transfer window, and we have agreed to his wishes,” explained Fredi Bobic regarding the player’s departure.

When the plane with flight number LH4270 takes off from Berlin Brandenburg (BER) on Tuesday morning, the Hertha players will finally have finished their winter holidays. After fitness tests at the beginning of the week, the schedule will then turn to a training camp at the IMG Academy at Brandenton in Tampa. The Blue-Whites will be working on their form on Florida’s golf coast – with pleasant temperatures of around 20ºC expected. “We are looking forward to the training camp and want to use the opportunity to work hard on certain key areas: above all, on precision in our attacking play,” said head coach Sandro Schwarz, who was also able to rely on everything learnt in the past months. “In the first 15 league games we have come a long way and built stability. We have the clear aim to build on that and to take the next step.”

Hertha BSC made their first new signing for the 2023/24 season on Tuesday, securing the services of Florian Niederlechner. The 32-year-old striker will join the Blue-Whites from FC Augsburg in the summer and has signed a contract until 2025. “We are pleased that we have been able to bring Florian Niederlechner to Hertha BSC. In him, we are getting an experienced attacker who brings a goal threat, as well as a good mentality and physicality. He has regularly proven all of this in the Bundesliga in the last few years,” said Fredi Bobic, emphasising the attacker’s abilities.