Football - Talent promoter Fiél set to maintain Hertha's youthful direction.
A talent developer calls to Cristian Fiel. As the successor of club legend Pal Dardai, the 44-year-old football coach is meant to carry on the youth revival at Hertha BSC and guide the Berliners back into the Bundesliga. The Hauptstadt team put an end to years of coach speculation and presented the dynamic German-Spaniard as the new face of the Berlin journey.
Fiel comes from second division rival 1. FC Nuremberg and signs a deal on the Spree until 2026. Reports say that Hertha paid a release fee in the mid-six figures because he still had a contract in Nuremberg until 2025. Fiel is expected to take charge of the pros at the beginning of the summer preparation at the end of June.
Fiel's new assistant will be the Portuguese Jaime Monroy, whom Fiel is said to have battled hard to get. The Berliners have now closed the most pressing construction site. Managing Director Thomas Herrich described the new coach as a dream candidate. "His ability to train youth players is a significant factor, as we know is important on the Berlin path. Furthermore, he is well acquainted with the 2. Bundesliga."
Fiel relies on a youthful offensive style
Fiel must follow the path of financial consolidation steadfastly and continue to rely on talents from their own academy. As a youth coach at Dynamo Dresden and later in Nuremberg, the native Esslinger worked extensively with young players. Fiel, who also played briefly for the 1. FC Union Berlin during his playing career, favors a youthful approach. Nuremberg's youth thrived under him.
Fiel made his debut in the Berlin Olympic Stadium in March. Now it is his home. "Evening game, full house, a mind-blowing experience. The greatness and radiance of this club are well-known. Now I'm the head coach of this club - without words," Fiel expressed his emotional state in his first club statement.
Hertha can hardly afford another transitional year
Hertha had already declared before the last season game against Osnabrück that Dardai's contract as head coach would not be renewed, but he would remain with the club in another role. The Old Lady concluded their first second division season after being relegated in 2023 in an underwhelming ninth place. Another transitional season, which Dardai had mentioned for 2023/2024 in the middle of the league, will be hard for the financially struggling Hertha to accept.
With attractive football, promotion is the aim. A goalkeeper who plays well, flat passes, and well-thought-out build-up play are to Fiel's liking. His role model: Pep Guardiola. "Cristian fits well with his offensive and dominant playing style and his straightforward and open manner," said sports director Benjamin Weber.
Fiel is renowned for his clear, and if necessary loud, speech. As a supporter of possession football. "You could say that I prefer to win 4:3 rather than play 0:0," Fiel explained his favored style once. "In the ever-improving 2. Bundesliga, you must defend effectively, otherwise you can't play offensively as you wish, and it gets challenging." The Berliners conceded 59 goals in the previous season. Only five clubs let in more, including Fiel's Nuremberg.
Despite the disappointing previous season, Dardai's influence is prominent around the 48-year-old. The Hungarian was also popular with the fans at Hertha, and his knack for managing both the media and the Berlin soul was indispensable. The last Hertha coach who managed to hold onto his position for a season was Dardai himself in 2019. None of his seven successors or predecessors enjoyed the same reward.
Read also:
- Fiel's new role at Hertha BSC Berlin follows his stint with 1. FC Nuremberg in Bundesliga 2, where he gained experience in nurturing young talent.
- As Thomas Herrich, the managing director, puts it, Fiel's ability to train youth players is a crucial factor in Hertha BSC's mission to promote local talent.
- Fiel, along with his new assistant Jaime Monroy, will work diligently to uphold Hertha BSC Berlin's ambition to return to the Bundesliga with a youthful and offensive playing style.
- With a clear and direct approach, Fiel has shown a preference for possession football, aiming for winning results rather than settling for defensive draws.
- Known for his passion for football, Fiel believes in fostering a rhythmic and well-executed build-up play, citing Pep Guardiola as his role model.
- With a demanding defense crucial for an effective offense, Fiel will need to address Hertha BSC Berlin's conceding issues from the previous season to ensure success in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Inspired by the Berlin Olympic Stadium's radiance and the club's legacy, Fiel expressed his excitement at leading Hertha BSC Berlin, embarking on a journey to revive the club's fortunes and reignite the passion of the fans.
