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Hertha Berlin head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has left his role at the Bundesliga club after less than three months in charge.
The former Bayern Munich, Germany and United States coach confirmed his departure in a statement posted on his Facebook page and said he will remain at the club in a supervisory role.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all players, fans, spectators, staff and employees of Hertha Berlin for the support, the many meetings and the talks over the past ten weeks,” he said.
“It was an incredibly exciting time for me with many new interesting insights. The club and the city have grown on me even more.
“In late November, we followed the request of the club leadership with a highly competent team and helped out during a difficult time. Within a relatively short period of time we set out on a good path. Also because of the support of many people we put six points between us and the relegation playoff place despite mostly difficult games.”
Sources close to Klinsmann told ESPN last week that he felt unnerved by what he thought was a lack of support over a coaching license issue in January.
Having not coached in Germany since his dismissal at Bayern Munich in early 2009, Klinsmann had not renewed his license, which you have to do every three years in Germany. He had to provide documents as proof of continuing education to have his license renewed in time for the Bayern Munich home match, Hertha’s first game of 2020.
Sources have told ESPN that Hertha were unaware of Klinsmann’s intention to step down and are stunned by the move.
They cancelled Tuesday’s scheduled news conference with Alexander Nouri, one of Klinsmann’s assistant coaches, and were initially not available for a comment when approached by ESPN.
- ESPN+ gets Bundesliga rights starting in 2020
Klinsmann, 55, was appointed by Hertha Nov. 26, 2019 and won just three of his 10 matches in charge, losing four and drawing three.
“I am more than convinced that Hertha will reach its goal to stay up,” he added.
“But for this job, which is not done yet, as the head coach I need the trust of the acting persons. Especially in a relegation battle unity, team spirit and focus on the basics are the most important elements. If they are not guaranteed, I can’t live up to my potential as a head coach and fulfil my responsibility.
“That’s why, after long consideration, I have come to the conclusion that I will leave my post as the Hertha Berlin head coach and return to my initial long-term task as a member of the supervisory board. The supporters, the players and the employees have grown dear on me in this time and that’s why I will continue to cheer for Hertha.
“I continue to look forward to the many meetings with you in the city or in the stadium.”
Hertha are 14th in the Bundesliga, six points off the relegation places. In January, they signed Krzysztof Piatek from AC Milan and sources told ESPN the striker cost a fee in the region of €27 million — a club record.