Pál Dárdai: Back to work

Hertha began the week’s training with a new coach at the helm. Marvin Plattenhardt, Eduard Löwen and Marton Dárdai returned after their recent injuries.

Pál Dárdai entered the Schenkendorf training pitch shortly after 10am on Tuesday morning (26/01/21), flanked by his assistants, Admir Hamazgić and Andreas 'Zecke' Neuendorf. The clouds that had dusted the capital with snow in recent days gave way to the sun for a moment, and those who follow the Old Lady’s progress might see the weather as symbolic of the optimistic mood around camp this morning. The new head coach looked right at his element as he led the training session, the first of two 90 minute sessions today, for the first time in 620 days. “What went before doesn't interest me. What happens from today – that is what counts. I am extremely motivated and we have got off to a good start,” said the returning boss at his first press conference back in the hot seat.

The Hungarian is approaching the task with a clear head, and equally clear were his commands and instructions on the training pitch. Dárdai kept his whistle close at hand throughout the session. One thing that caught the attention was how the players were made to laugh by Dárdai, Neuendorf and Hamzagič, who had been presented to the squad by Arne Friedrich in the dressing room ahead of training. The relaxed atmosphere was matched by the steel needed given Hertha’s position in the league table. “My first impressions have been good, even better than I’d expected. What I saw in training wasn’t just a bunch of individuals. I thought that I’d be meeting 20 alligators who want to tear me apart, but the mentality is fine,” said the former Hertha player in his traditional manner. “We want to pull the team even closer together. Above all, we on the coaching staff and the board have to rid ourselves of all the negative stress.”

Pál Dárdai stepped onto the Schenkendorf training pitch shortly after 10am on Tuesday morning (26/01/21), flanked by his assistants Admir Hamazgić and Andreas 'Zecke' Neuendorf. The clouds that had dusted the capital with snow in recent days temporarily gave way to the sun, and those who follow the Old Lady’s progress might see the weather as symbolic of the optimistic mood around camp this morning. The new head coach looked right at his element as he led the training session, the first of two 90 minute sessions today, for the first time in 620 days. “What went before doesn't interest me. What happens from today – that is what counts. I am extremely motivated and we have got off to a good start,” said the returning boss at his first press conference back in the hot seat.

The Hungarian is approaching the task with a clear head, and equally clear were his commands and instructions on the training pitch. Dárdai kept his trusty whistle close at hand throughout the session. One thing that caught the attention was how the players were made to laugh by Dárdai, Neuendorf and Hamzagič, who had been presented to the squad by Arne Friedrich in the dressing room ahead of training. The relaxed atmosphere was matched by the steel needed given Hertha’s position in the league table. “My first impressions have been good, even better than I’d expected. What I saw in training wasn’t just a bunch of individuals. I thought that I’d be meeting 20 alligators who want to tear me apart, but the mentality is fine,” said the former Hertha player in his traditional manner. “We want to pull the team even closer together. Above all, we on the coaching staff and the board have to rid ourselves of all the negative stress.”

A trio of players return

While birthday boy Marvin Plattenhardt, Eduard Löwen and Marton Dárdai returned to full training after muscle injuries, Jhon Córdoba completed an individual session with fitness coach Hendrik Vieth as a precaution. The Columbian striker is suffering from a minor muscle issue. Hertha’s number 15 should ideally be fit again for the trip to Frankfurt on Sunday (30/01/21, 15:30 CET).

Dárdai is expecting a stern test against this weekend’s red-hot opposition. "When I started out in 2015, I was an inexperienced coach. The task is now tougher, but I am more experienced and the team has more quality,” says the 44-year-old of the job at hand. “We have a few days left before the match and we will prepare well. Recently, the team has been too open in the middle when losing the ball. I’m no magician, I won’t say that we are going to win 5-0 in Frankfurt. We want to get the team playing with more fluidity.” That fluidity should help Hertha to find some consistency and turn the early optimism into something more permanent.

A trio of players return

While birthday boy Marvin Plattenhardt, Eduard Löwen and Marton Dárdai returned to full training after muscle injuries, Jhon Córdoba completed an individual session with fitness coach Hendrik Vieth as a precaution. The Columbian striker is suffering from a minor muscle issue. Hertha’s number 15 should ideally be fit again for the trip to Frankfurt on Sunday (30/01/21, 15:30 CET).

Dárdai is expecting a stern test against this weekend’s red-hot opposition. "When I started out in 2015, I was an inexperienced coach. The task is now tougher, but I am more experienced and the team has more quality,” says the 44-year-old of the job at hand. “We have a few days left before the match and we will prepare well. Recently, the team has been too open in the middle when losing the ball. I’m no magician, I won’t say that we are going to win 5-0 in Frankfurt. We want to get the team playing with more fluidity.” That fluidity should help Hertha to find some consistency and turn the early optimism into something more permanent.