From the ultras to the head of the club? Darid’s Hertha has a new president, never been in charge, plans detox

Hertha Berlin have had a tragic season, but overall they have been underperforming for some time now, even though they announced plans to compete with the biggest clubs in Germany a few years ago. Now a big change is on the cards. And not only in the team. In addition, the man who founded one of the ultras groups has taken the helm of the club.

This probably wouldn’t happen outside of Germany. And fortunately, it happened in Germany. The new president of Hertha Berlin is a former member of the ultras and even the founder of one of the ultras – Harlekins Berlin 98.

Why fortunately? Because in Germany the ultras are not right-wing extremists inclined to racism and Nazism. On the contrary. The fan culture in Germany is exemplary, receiving criticism only for pyrotechnics, which of course other fans appreciate.

The new president is Kay Bernstein, elected by the fans themselves. He defeated the favourite and former MP Frank Steffel in the election. Bernstein received 1670 votes from the 3016 club members present.

But it’s a clear message with a clear result. It’s a big loss for the club’s leadership and a big win for the fan base. There’s a catch, though. Bernstein, at 41, has absolutely no experience running a club.

It should be noted, however, that he is a former member of the Ultras. He is now involved in various social projects for Hertha. His job was as communications manager.

Bernstein will replace 72-year-old Werner Gegenbauer, who has been the club’s president since 2008. Gegenbauer has been criticised many times for wasting the money of investor Lars Windhorst.

He has also been criticised by Windhorst himself, who has pumped almost €400 million into the club in the last two seasons. But it is virtually impossible to tell.

The goals of the new president are clear. To use the finances of the rich investor to the fullest and to give the club intensive care. Moreover, Hertha must be detoxified from the inside in order to recover, according to him. He intends to build a team to help him run the club. He also called for a truce.

Source: Hertha BSC, DW