Klinsmann maintains family link at Hertha
FORMER Germany and United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said yesterday he is maintaining a family passion by taking over as interim boss of struggling Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin until the end of the season.
Klinsmann replaces Ante Covic, who only took charge in July after six years coaching the reserves, but was sacked following Sunday’s 0-4 thrashing at mid-table Augsburg, the club’s fourth straight league defeat.
Klinsmann, the 55-year-old former European and world champion, was appointed to the club’s supervisory board at the start of November, but steps in with Hertha just above the relegation zone.
“It’s an honor to be able to help out,” said Klinsmann in a hastily arranged press conference.
“My father was an enthusiastic Hertha fan and my son played here for two years, so I know a lot of people here.”
Klinsmann’s backroom staff also has plenty of experience. His assistant coach Alexander Nouri helped rescue Werder Bremen from relegation in 2016-17, while goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke won the Euro ‘96 title alongside Klinsmann for Germany.
Klinsmann’s main task is to keep Hertha up. The club spent 2010-11 and 2012-13 in the second division.
Klinsmann, a California resident, was born in southwest Germany and started his career at Stuttgart, but he has held membership of Hertha for years and his father was a keen supporter of the west Berlin club.
His son Jonathan played for Hertha as reserve goalkeeper from 2017 until the start of this season, when the United States Under-23 international joined Swiss side St Gallen.
“Berlin, as many people say, is a sleeping giant, but the situation is difficult, you can see that on the league table.”
Klinsmann confirmed he will be interim boss until next May to allow director of sport Michael Preetz time to find a permanent head coach.
“You have to be flexible, open and direct, it is foreseen that I will do this job until May 2020 to give Michael time,” explained the former Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan striker.
Klinsmann’s first game in charge of Hertha will be Saturday’s home game against Borussia Dortmund.
(AFP)