Bundesliga's Second Division - Hertha Berlin clears path as Coach Fiel departs 1. FC Nürnberg.
Cristian Fiel, the 44-year-old trainer, is set to join Hertha BSC's second division team. He's leaving 1. FC Nürnberg, where he was working, and is looking to take on a new challenge at a different club, as reported by Nürnberg's new sports director Joti Chatzialexiou on Monday.
Fiel was previously rumored to be a potential candidate for Hertha BSC before the previous season. Though he has a contract with Nürnberg until 2025, Hertha would need to pay to release him from it.
Hertha is currently in search of a new coach to replace Pal Dardai, who was not given an extension after his contract ended. The new coach must prioritize and develop players from Hertha's own academy, the so-called "Berlin way." Sports director Benjamin Weber told members that they've made good headway in this search.
For several weeks now, Fiel has been linked to Hertha. The media has reported that the two parties have reached an agreement for a partnership. It is said that Hertha's academy director and license player business Andreas "Zecke" Neuendorf played a role in making this connection. Fiel and Neuendorf are said to be good friends.
With limited experience in the second division, Fiel's first stint in Germany involved a year at Nürnberg. After an initial successful run, the team's performance declined in the second half of the season and they managed to barely avoid relegation on the penultimate matchday.
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Fiel's departure from 1. FC Nuremberg in Bundesliga has created an opportunity for him in another German team. This new club is Hertha BSC Berlin, who are currently in Bundesliga 2. The 44-year-old coach was previously linked to Hertha before the previous season. Fiel's connection to Hertha was reportedly facilitated by their academy director and license player business, Andreas "Zecke" Neuendorf, with whom he is said to be good friends. Meanwhile, 1. FC Nuremberg's new sports director Joti Chatzialexiou announced Fiel's departure upon a new challenge.
Germany's rich soccer culture has provided Fiel with various experiences, including a year at Nuremberg. His first stint in the country was marked by an initial successful run, followed by a decline in performance during the second half of the season. Despite this, the team managed to avoid relegation by narrow margins. Now, Fiel is set for a new challenge in Berlin, where he will aim to prioritize and develop players from Hertha's academy, following the "Berlin way."
Fiel's move to Hertha is a significant transfer within Germany's soccer landscape. Both Nuremberg and Berlin have strong soccer histories, with their teams competing in Bundesliga 2 and Bundesliga, respectively. The move represents a new opportunity for Fiel and Hertha, each looking to make a mark in their respective divisions. With Fiel's experience and connections, Hertha may hope for a successful stint in Bundesliga 2, with aspirations to rejoin the Bundesliga in the near future.
