Hertha Trainer Leitl speaks out:
Heading It Up with Paul Seguin: Berlin's Push for Promotion
Get ready, Berlin! The Glenkerflaggestelle is abuzz as Hertha BSC prepares for a fresh start. The objective here? Ascension to the Bundesliga. With coach Stefan Leitl and his familiar faces, they're setting their sights high and aren't messing around.
Enter Paul Seguin, the 30-year-old midfield battler who's knees deep in Hertha's ambitious push. Straight outta Magdeburg, this German dynamo has knockaround experience in both Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. You might have caught his previous stint with Union Berlin, but now, he'sour side's latest recruit, hopping ship from Schalke 04—and that's no small potatoes.
So what's the big deal with Seguin, one might ask? Well, Leitl sees him as a veritable linchpin in their Bundesliga aspirations, nodding to the duo's history together at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, where they netted promotion to the big leagues. Quite a feather in Paul's cap, indeed. The coach remarked, "With Paul, we could without a doubt have secured one of the best midfielders in this league. That mattered, also for the sake of demonstrating that we're capable of signing a player of his caliber." [1] [3]
That said, Seguin's not got an ironclad starting spot. If he misses the mark, the bench's where he'll be parked. Sounds a tad harsh, but fair's fair. [1]
But what about midfield depth? Rest easy, folks, cause Hertha ain't thin on the ground when it comes to options in the engine room. According to Leitl, "Although we still lack a player with the raw energy and one-on-one skills that Ibo Maza brought, that dynamism, we need to make up for." [1]
And then, there's young Kennet Eichhorn, currently rubbing shoulders with the pros. Leitl's already beaming about the 15-year-old's progress, praising his physical development, game understanding, and keen eagerness to learn. Yet, it's essential to manage Eichhorn's load carefully, considering the young phenom's drawing interest from Bundesliga clubs and is only just back from a lengthy layoff. [1]
The Berliners' first friendly match? Scheduled for Saturday, opposite Ludwigsfelder FC. [1]
So there you have it, folks: Berlin's gearing up to make a splash, and Paul Seguin's right in the thick of it. A season of high stakes lies ahead, one that'll test the team's mettle and resolve. Let the games begin!
Footnotes
[1] dpa News Agency
[2] transfermarkt.com
[3] bbspo.de
Paul Seguin, the new addition to Hertha BSC, has a crucial role in Berlin's promotion push as they aim for the Bundesliga. With his extensive experience in both Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, Seguin could be the linchpin in Hertha's bid for promotion, as demonstrated by his previous success in securing promotion with SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
As Hertha BSC gears up for a fresh start and a season full of high stakes, the team's midfield depth is a strength, although they may miss the raw energy and dynamism that Ibo Maza provided in the engine room. Meanwhile, the promising young talent Kennet Eichhorn is progressing well under coach Leitl, attracting interest from Bundesliga clubs and carefully managed due to his recent return from a long layoff. With the first friendly match against Ludwigsfelder FC scheduled for Saturday, it's clear that football (soccer) will play a vital role in Berlin's push for promotion.
