What many already rubbed their hands. Thanks to Lars Windhorst’s mega investment of 374 million euros, the future of Hertha BSC looked so bright. But now the blue and white are striking different tones that are reminiscent of times gone by. Hertha missed a savings plan.
The transfer frustration was great, especially because Hertha’s social media department gave the fans high hopes on Deadline Day.
Arne Friedrich (42) announced in advance that Hertha will have to bake smaller rolls again. Hertha’s sports director: “There is always an economic aspect. We won’t see transfers that go into the 20 million range, we want to distance ourselves from that. “Friedrich even added something:” It won’t happen that we spend the money we have made 1: 1 again. “
Where have all the Windhorst millions gone?
No sooner said than done: For the first time since Windhorst joined in 2019, Hertha again achieved a transfer surplus. Sports director Fredi Bobic took in almost 30 million euros after twelve departures and eight additions. But the savings plan raises a question: where have all the Windhorst millions gone?
Debt and Credit: A large chunk was needed to repay debts (71.2 million went on to buy back the shares of the financial investor KKR alone) and loans (50 million).
New players: After that, a lot of money flowed into the squad. The first entry thanks to the Windhorst millions was Dodi Lukebakio (20 million) in summer 2019. In January 2020, ex-manager Michael Preetz and short-term coach Jürgen Klinsmann made Hertha the world champion in spending, paying almost 80 million for four players ( Lucas Tousart (25 million), Krzysztof Piatek (24 million), Matheus Cunha (18 million) and Santiago Ascacibar (12 million).
Salaries, severance payments and investments: Because the stars all earn more, the blue and white budget grew by almost 15 million. Consultant fees and four coach changes also created a million hole. The investment of around five million euros for the expansion of the medical area and the office on Hanns-Braun-Strasse made sense.
Corona-Crisis: Without spectators, Hertha posted a loss of around 60 million euros in the past season alone. At the same time, the market values of the players tumbled.
Bobic predicts Hertha to be a “rocky road”
–Ciy-Press
Sports director and sports director: Fredi Bobic (left) and Arne Friedrich regularly watch the Hertha professionals during training.
Means: More than 300 million of the Windhorst coal are already gone! But it is also a fact: Without the investor, Hertha would have had a hard time surviving the crisis. President Werner Gegenbauer: “We would definitely have gotten into a tailspin.” This is another reason why finance boss Ingo Schiller rejected a similar transfer offensive last autumn, saying rather: “We are therefore well advised to build up certain reserves.”
That is exactly what Preetz successor Bobic is doing now. Difficult to educate and expensive stars were sorted out. Bobic demands of the rest: “I want to see players who put their hearts into it and wear the shirt with pride. I want to see players working. Because this road will be rocky. “
Especially because this path is no longer a bed of roses, even financially …
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