Dortmund spoil Klinsmann’s debut at Hertha
BERLIN: Jürgen Klinsmann lost on his debut as Hertha Berlin coach, Bayern Munich were finally beaten under interim coach Hansi Flick, and Leipzig moved to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Leipzig profited from Bayern’s 2-1 shock defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen by moving three points clear of the Bavarian powerhouse with a 3-2 win at last-placed Paderborn.
Borussia Mönchengladbach, two points behind Leipzig, can reclaim the lead with a win at home against Freiburg on Sunday.
Klinsmann’s tenure of Hertha began with a lackluster loss at home to 10-man Borussia Dortmund, which held on for a 2-1 win to ease the pressure on coach Lucien Favre.
Early goals from Jadon Sancho and Thorgan Hazard were enough for Dortmund’s first win in four games across all competitions.
Klinsmann, the former Germany, United States, and Bayern Munich coach, was hired by Hertha on Wednesday to replace the fired Ante Covic, but couldn’t prevent a fifth straight league defeat.
“It’s annoying, of course. We’d have taken a point at least. But generally I’m very satisfied with the team,” Klinsmann said. “They gave all that they have at the moment.”
Klinsmann is expected to start Hertha on its way to becoming one of Germany’s top clubs following a $250 million investment from new backer Lars Windhorst, but fans displayed a banner criticising general manager Michael Preetz for the upheaval.
“10 years, 12 coaches, one responsible!” the banner in front of Hertha’s east stand said.
“We were hoping for more,” Klinsmann said of the result.