There are good and bad decisions that one makes in the course of one’s life. And defining ones that change everything that went before them forever. Kai Herdling made one such decision in the summer of 2002, without knowing it at the time. Gerhard Schröder was Chancellor, the Euro was the new official currency and the football was entirely different too: Oliver Kahn had steered Germany to the World Cup final more or less single-handedly, Martin Max had finished top of the goalscoring charts and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, VfB Stuttgart and TSV 1860 Munich were the clubs that qualified for the UI Cup – and TSG Hoffenheim were playing in the Regionalliga. In this almost forgotten era, a talented teenager caught the eye of a scout at the aspiring club. But even the scouts, despite their keen eye, could not have foreseen what a raw diamond that they had uncovered in Kirchheim. Kai Herdling did not think twice, accepted the offer and commenced a career that resembles a fairytale in the modern day. Games for the TSG reserves in the Verbandsliga were followed by the sensational triumph – and a goal of his own – against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal round of 16 in 2003, the title of top goalscorer in the Oberliga plus promotion to the Regionalliga – and ultimately the Bundesliga, where he made his first start as a 29-year-old. Sometimes reality is even more beautiful than any fairytale.
A couple of brief spells aside, Kai Herdling has spent 22 of his 39 years with TSG. A formative time that will come to an end in summer. Because the former player has, as teenagers would nowadays say, “completed” TSG. Amateur, professional, legend, academy coach, interim coach, head of the U23s – there is barely a position that he has not occupied. “I’ve been at TSG for more than half of my life so far. I became a professional here, got married in that time, became a father – this club is my home, is part of me and will always be a part of me,” said a visibly emotional Herdling, who went on to explain why this special relationship will now end: “There are points in life at which you have to move on in order to continue your development. I have arrived at such a point. I feel it’s time for a change.”
Despite his close ties to home, Kai Herdling was always a player who looked well beyond his own horizons. He dared to take a special adventure 10 years ago and moved to Philadelphia Union, he founded his own company in Herdling Consulting and began his coaching career while still a player – back then as an assistant to U15 coach Frank Fröhling. It marked the start of a special passion that has long since become the focal point of his professional life. After handing over the reins as U23 coach two years ago in order to successfully complete the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in Europe, he took some time to develop personally and professionally. Herdling visited several leading coaches, observed at Hamburger SV and also looked for challenges outside of football.
“I taught myself many things, even very mundane ones, such as how to create a website. I am convinced that you always have to keep pushing yourself to make progress. It was a very valuable year and now I want to put my experience to good use – and finally get back to working where I feel the most comfortable: on the training ground.”
Additional further training is not on the agenda, as Herdling has already been an attentive student of his trade for more than 10 years. As a player, he learned from international greats such as Ralf Rangnick and Hansi Flick, before later working closely with Julian Nagelsmann. He acquired a coach’s view of football at an early stage. Alexander Rosen also believes Herdling will have a successful second career. “Kai is a special character for TSG. I experienced and appreciated him as a player and worked with him on the interim coaching staff of the first team in the closing stages of the 2019/20 season. I’m firmly convinced he will also make his own way as a coach. It will certainly be an exciting challenge for Kai to take the next steps of his coaching career at another club after so many years at TSG, but the doors at TSG Hoffenheim will always be open to him regardless,” said the Managing Director for Sport.
Herdling is looking ahead to his professional future with great confidence and also a small degree of pride upon finding out that he has already been at TSG for significantly longer than others spend in professional football entirely. A new beginning, a step outside of his personal comfort zone is the logical consequence, as Herdling emphasised: “I’m very thankful to have been able to call this my sporting and professional home for so many years. I will always remain connected with Dietmar Hopp, but also with Alexander Rosen and many other colleagues. TSG will always be in my heart, but now is the right time to tread a new path and start my career as a head coach.”
Initial talks have already taken place. But a decision has not yet been made regarding the club where Kai Herdling will take the reins for the first time without the TSG logo on his chest. The father of two daughters, who turns 40 years old in June, has already decided that he is ready to leave the Kraichgau as well as TSG, saying: “Heidelberg will remain the centre of my family’s life. That’s okay for everyone and we’ll manage it in the best-possible way.” 22 years after pledging himself to TSG, Kai Herdling’s departure from his favourite club also marks a turning point in his life. But like he was in 2002, he is convinced of his decision. And anyone who knows the former striker knows that Kai Herdling considers his steps very carefully – and that is capable of big things.”