Paving the Way for Bundesliga: Leitl Steers Hertha's Promotion Pursuit
Climbing the Ranks: Hertha Begins with Leitl's Leadership - Leitel joins Hertha BSC team.
After a whirlwind of Ralf Rangnick speculation as a potential sports director, Stefan Leitl now takes the reins at Hertha BSC. The coach, who aimed to return the Berliners to Bundesliga glory before his first training session, was warmly received by several hundred enthusiastic fans.
The Berliners are determined to avoid a third consecutive second division season, a goal already emphasized by club President Fabian Drescher and Sporting Director Benjamin Weber. But will the Berliners succeed?
The squad's prospects:
Despite a clear upward trend under Leitl in the last third of the season, more than 11th place wasn't enough. The optimism for a better start in the upcoming season hinges greatly on the capabilities of the coach. Calm, professional, and clear-communication—these qualities Leitl displayed after taking the job in February.
Addressing the Hertha members at the assembly in May, the former Fürth promotion coach made his ambitions crystal clear: "The goal must be to do everything to promote to the Bundesliga." This ambitious goal sets them against stiff competition in the 2nd Bundesliga.
While Hamburg SV and 1. FC Köln have left the league, there's no shortage of other traditional clubs aiming for a promotion spot. Fortuna Düsseldorf, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, 1. FC Nuremberg coached by Miroslav Klose, Schalke 04, or Hannover 96, each aspire to join the top three. Experience shows that dark horses like SV Elversberg or SC Paderborn and 1. FC Magdeburg may cause a stir in the promotion race. The race is wide open.
Personnel matters:
Big-money player Ibrahim Maza was sold to Bayer Leverkusen, and Derry Scherhant moved to SC Freiburg, but overall personnel losses are manageable for now. Former Schalke 04 midfielder Paul Seguin was a coach Leitl target, and securing his services was crucial. Additional new signings include Sebastian Grönning (FC Ingolstadt), Leon Jensen (Karlsruher SC), and Niklas Kolbe (SSV Ulm 1846).
The lasting contracts of Fabian Reese (2030) and Michael Cuisance (2029) were extended, both important pillars in Leitl's system. National players Marton Dardai (Hungary) and Jon Thorsteinsson (Iceland) shortened their summer vacation and joined the training, a positive sign.
The training schedule:
After the training start, a friendly against Ludwigsfelder FC on June 28 is scheduled, along with matches against BFC Dynamo (July 5) and TSV Havelse (July 8). A training camp in Kitzbühel follows from July 11 to 19, with the season opener in the Olympic Park on July 22 and a test match in Scotland against FC Motherwell on July 25. The first matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga will occur between August 1 and 3.
Financial prospects:
Money will continue to be a hot topic. The license for the 2nd Bundesliga was granted only in November when the redemption or extension of a 40 million bond was clarified. However, business manager Ralf Huschen hopes to perform without losses for the first time in a long time in the next financial year. Although the ownership of 78.8 percent of the shares in the professional department remains unclear, the ongoing transactions have no impact on Leitl's promotion mission.
- Stefan Leitl
- Hertha BSC
- Berlin
- Bundesliga
- Promotion
- Ralf Rangnick
- FC Schalke 04
- Fabian Drescher
- Benjamin Weber
Key Insights:
- Strengthening the squad with key players like Paul Seguin and Michael Cuisance indicates serious intent to tackle the 2nd Bundesliga’s cutthroat competition head-on.
- Hertha’s ambition and preparations suggest they have a legitimate chance of promotion, but competing in the competitive 2nd Bundesliga requires consistent performances and may benefit from enhanced coaching structures.
Despite the challenges, Hertha BSC under coach Stefan Leitl looks ready to battle it out for a slot in the Bundesliga with their recent acquisitions and robust preparations. A successful promotion will rely on maintaining a cohesive squad, consistent performances, and possibly benefiting from enhanced coaching structures.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, focusing on reducing pollution and promoting sustainable practices in all European sports leagues, including the Bundesliga, where Hertha BSC is eagerly pursuing promotion under the guidance of coach Stefan Leitl. Football, being a global sport, plays a significant role in raising awareness and influencing positive changes in society, making it crucial for European leagues to lead by example on environmental protection.
