Jurgen Klinsmann explains reason behind walking out on Hertha Berlin after 10 weeks
The former Germany and United States coach has made the shock call despite spending almost £70m last month
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Your support makes all the difference.Jurgen Klinsmann has walked out on Hertha Berlin just 10 weeks after taking charge due to a lack of support and trust.
Klinsmann replaced Ante Covic in late November with the Bundesliga club sat in the relegation zone.
It brings an abrupt end to a second spell in charge of a club in the top tier in Germany, 12 years on from his dismal time at Bayern Munich, which lasted less than a season.
“We were on a good path and despite difficult games had moved six points away from the relegation spots,” Klinsmann, who won the 1990 World Cup as a player, said in a statement.
“I am totally convinced that Hertha will stay up. But for that task to be completed, as head coach I need the trust of all those involved. In the fight against relegation unity, solidarity and concentration are the key elements.
“If they are not guaranteed then I cannot deliver on my full potential as a coach and cannot live up to my responsibilities.”
Klinsmann had vowed to help Hertha not only survive but transform them into title contenders with the help of major investor Lars Windhorst.
And last month Hertha appeared intent on proving their vision with around £70m spent in January.
Lucas Tousart joined from Lyon for £22.5m, Krzysztof Piatek joined from AC Milan for around £20m, Matheus Cunha came in from RB Leipzig for £16.2m and Santiago Ascacibar joined from Stuttgart for around £10m.
But with just one win in their last five league games, Hertha remain 14th in the league standings, six points above the relegation playoff spot.
“We were surprised by this decision today,” Hertha sports director Michael Preetz said in a statement.
“Especially because there were absolutely no signs of it during the trusting collaboration on personnel decisions during the intense winter transfer period for Hertha.”
Klinsmann’s assistant, Alexander Nouri, will take over for the time being. Klinsmann said he would remain a member of the club’s board.
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