Germany

Hertha Coach Friedhelm Funkel: We Must Take Small Steps Forward

Basement dwellers Hertha should not expect too much too quickly, according to their new coach, who is simply targetting a win against Nuremberg...

Oct 15, 2009 1:05:31 PM

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Friedhelm Funkel (AFP)

Teams

Hertha BSC

Europa League hopefuls Hertha recently appointed Friedhelm Funkel to the post of head coach at the club, and he has made it clear that they shouldn't be too ambitious to begin with.

"After losing seven straight Bundesliga games, we must take small steps forward," he told the club's official website. "You cannot demand too much, which means that we have to overtake two or three teams in the table if possible. The most crucial thing is not to lose contact with the teams above us.

"The game against Nuremberg in the short term is very important to us. Two teams in the bottom three places face each other. Both teams have so far failed to live up to pre-season expectations. It is also crucial not to lose ground on the teams above us. It is of course our goal to overtake as many teams as possible.

"At some time I must decide who plays, who makes the squad and who must watch from the stands, but every single player has a chance to catch my eye. Any player who does not give his very best during training has no chance with me. All players have a chance of playing themselves into the squad."

Hertha currently are the Bundesliga's basement club with only three points from eight games.

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com