Looking to the future

Berlin – Twice a year, more than 1,000 Herthaner normally descend upon Berlin’s exhibition grounds to attend the club’s general members’ meetings. On Sunday (24/05/20), the ‘Old Lady’ had to adjust her plans, and hold the exchange with her supporters in an entirely different way. So Hertha took to the online sphere. It was the first time that a registered association had held such a meeting online. This was made possible by the capital city club’s partnership with NOERR, who jointly drew up the legal framework.

But the order of the day remained unchanged. As expected, club president Werner Gegenbauer greeted almost 1,800 members, who had tuned in the livestream. “Hertha BSC is making history as we’re hosting the first ever digital members’ meeting held by a registered association,” said Gegenbauer, who echoed the words of Dr Dirk Lentfer. The chair of the meeting explained the process and guidelines for a digital meeting, before Gegenbauer resumed his board report.

After the supervisory board, represented by Dr Torsten-Jörg Klein, had taken stock of the situation, managing directors Michael Preetz and Igno Schilller took to the podium. “I’m really pleased that Bruno Labbadia and his team have got off to a great start. First that assured win in Hoffenheim, then a derby win on Friday evening to mark his first home game,” Preetz mused about recent developments out on the pitch. He also shed some light on the changing of managers, first from Ante Covic to Jürgen Klinsmann, then Alexander Nouri to the current incumbent Labbadia, and also the measures implemented by the club with regards to the corona crisis currently sweeping through the globe. “It felt like an early summer break. So it became clear to us that we wouldn’t have the usual break in summer. That’s why we decided to make a change in our head coaching position. From talking to Bruno Labbadia, we quickly realised that not only are our long term goals the same, but also that we have similarly realistic expectations for the short term. We quickly found a common line of thinking,” the 52-year-old stated. The ex-professional player also spoke about transfers, young talent, infrastructure in the Olympiapark and measures taken in recent weeks.

Positive development

As expected, Schiller focused on finances; this time though, affects of the coronavirus pandemic on match operations, advertising, TV and radio and personnel dominated his talk. “Our current plans are obviously different form those that we presented back in January and February of this year. Overall, however, we have a completely different capital base, which has been added accordingly through our partnership with TENOR,” the 54-year-old spoke of a “very, very positive development”, which means that “our financial power is completely different than even a year ago.” So Hertha BSC GmbH & Co. KGaA showed an increase in financial capital from 31 December 2018 to 31 December 2018 – EUR 16.6 million to EUR 182,5 million. Additionally, the group was able to generate positive equity of EUR 70 million. An influx in cash assets was able to increase Hertha BSC GmbH & Co. HGaA’s cash reserves from EUR 3.2 million to EUR 109 million in the same period.

Schiller also discussed the transfer market. “We think that we’ll make moves in the transfer market within the next 15 months – but definitely more reserved than in the last one or two years. There are risks and also opportunities when signing new players. But on the earnings side, we expect a significant reduction.” To finish, Schiller thanked the club’s partners and sponsors, who have stayed true to the club through these difficult times. “This period has been a significant test of character. We passed this test and can look to the future of Hertha BSC with excitement!”

Open debate, no new motions

In an open debate, the board and club leadership responded to the pre-prepared questions presented to them by the fans. Since there were no new motions and the “miscellaneous” agenda item was rather shot, the first digital general meeting ended after a little more than 180 minutes. “I hope that we can see each other again in person in November. But I would like to thanl everyone that attended this meeting. Stay healthy, my dear Herthaner,” were the words of Werner Gegenbauer as he brought the meeting to a close.