The disbelief over the unexpected death of Kay Bernstein was still palpable at the second division soccer team Hertha BSC on Wednesday, and no one is wrong who assumes that it will stay that way for a long time. Nevertheless, the team of coach Pal Dardai, who was friends with Bernstein, tried the impossible: returning to everyday life. Shortly after 2 p.m., the team entered the training ground on the Olympic site, silent, reverent, withdrawn. Dozens of Hertha fans had gathered, and they were also shocked by the death of Bernstein, who died on Tuesday night at the age of 43. The public prosecutor’s office initiated a death investigation in accordance with standard protocol for unexpected deaths.
On Tuesday evening, numerous fans had already laid flowers and fan scarves in front of the office and in front of the Olympic Stadium, lit candles and remembered amber. A memorial was improvised in the office and many Berliners signed a condolence book.
Bernstein maintained numerous personal relationships in the fan scene, and he also had a close relationship with the players. This could also be seen in the professionals’ social media channels, which were filled with very personal and moving statements. This applied, among other things, to captain Toni Leistner, who, as a former Union player, had been greeted with hostility by some Hertha fans at the start of the season and had found an advocate in Bernstein. Audience favorite Fabian Reese recalled shared moments: “These precious moments are a chapter in my heart – from today on they have a golden lock.”
Candles, flowers and a photo were placed in the office in memory of Hertha President Kay Bernstein, who died suddenly.
(Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa)
The question hanging over everything on Wednesday was what should happen next – in relation to the start of the second half of the season against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Sunday (1.30 p.m.), but also in the medium and long term, i.e. in terms of club politics. In accordance with the statutes, Vice President Fabian Drescher, a 41-year-old lawyer, is temporarily taking over the chairmanship of the association; He had already taken over the office during Bernstein’s brief absence due to illness in the fall.
It is unclear whether Drescher will remain in office until the regular new elections at a general meeting scheduled for the fall, or whether early new elections will be scheduled in May. One of the few certainties on Wednesday was that the now seven-member Presidium complies with the statutes and is therefore able to act.