Tayfun Korkut replaces Pál Dárdai as head coach
After analysing the current situation, Hertha BSC’s board has decided to part company with head coach Pál Dárdai with immediate effect. His assistants Andreas 'Zecke' Neuendorf and Admir Hamzagic will also no longer continue in their roles. The new head coach will be 47-year-old Tayfun Korkut. He will be assisted by Ilja Aračić, with both receiving a contract until the end of the season. “We would like to thank Pál Dárdai for his work. He took over the team in a difficult situation last season and kept us in the Bundesliga under difficult circumstances,” thanked Fredi Bobic. “We want Tayfun Korkut to provide the team with a fresh impetus and new ideas. Tayfun has shown in the past that he can not only stabilise a team, but also develop a side with his knowledgeable and passionate work, as well as his idea of playing football.”
Korkut feeling "full of energy"
Our new head coach is eager to get started, saying "I keep a close eye on the Bundesliga. My perception of Hertha BSC as a club, and the team in particular, is that its been a journey filled with ups and downs. I want to use my way of working and my ideas in order to help us develop in a positive direction. I am full of energy and am very much looking forward to this challenge."Korkut was born near Stuttgart, and his playing career included stops at Stuttgarter Kickers, Fenerbahçe, Real Sociedad, Espanyol Barcelona, Beşiktaş and Gençlerbirliği Ankara. The former midfielder made 42 appearances for Turkey, and began his coaching career at the youth level. He worked for clubs such as Real Sociedad, Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart, before taking on a role as assistant coach of the Turkey national team in 2012. Korkut then took charge of Bundesliga side Hannover 96 in 2014. He then moved to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 2016, with subsequent stops at Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart.