2. League
Dardai’s successor found: Fiél becomes new Hertha coach
Cristian Fiél signed a contract with Hertha until 2026. Photo
© Daniel Karmann/dpa
After parting ways with Pal Dardai, Hertha BSC has found a new head coach. Cristian Fiél is taking over the capital club and has a number of tasks ahead of him.
“With his offensive and dominant game idea as well as his straightforward and open manner, Cristian fits in very well with our path and we are delighted that he will be our head coach from next season,” said Hertha sports director Benjamin Weber.
Since the Spanish-German still had a contract in Franconia that ran until 2025, Hertha had to pay a transfer fee. According to media reports, the amount involved is around 500,000 euros. The Franconians announced that they had agreed not to disclose the terms of the transfer.
Fiél should follow the Berlin path
Just like Dardai, who knows Hertha’s academy like no other, Fiél will have to follow Berlin’s path of economic consolidation and rely heavily on young talent. Fiél is considered a promoter of promising talent. Young players like Can Uzun flourished under him in Nuremberg.
The 44-year-old, who also played briefly for 1. FC Union Berlin during his active career, is considered a fan of an offensive style of play. Above all, however, he will have to stabilize Hertha’s shaky defense.
Hertha announced before the last game of the season against Osnabrück that Dardai’s contract as head coach would not be extended, but that the Hungarian would remain with the club in another role. Hertha finished the first second division season after relegation in 2023 in a disappointing ninth place. Hertha, which is still struggling financially, will hardly be able or willing to afford another transitional season with a mid-table finish in the league.