Hertha BSC has appointed Stefan Leitl as their new head coach following Cristian Fiél’s departure after a series of losses. Leitl, who previously managed Hannover 96, expressed eagerness to improve the team’s performance and collaborate with players and fans. He is joined by assistant coach André Mijatović, a former Hertha player. The club currently sits 14th in the second division, just above the relegation zone, after a disappointing season under Fiél.
Hertha BSC has officially named Stefan Leitl as their new head coach, just a day after Cristian Fiél’s departure. The 47-year-old coach previously led Hannover 96 in the second division until December.
The appointment of Stefan Leitl as head coach of Hertha BSC was confirmed in a statement released on Monday evening. Leitl, who hails from Munich, takes the reins after Cristian Fiél was let go following a streak of four consecutive losses.
Hertha’s sports director, Benjamin Weber, expressed enthusiasm about Leitl’s arrival, stating, “We are pleased to welcome an experienced coach like Stefan Leitl, who has a deep understanding of the league and has demonstrated his ability to develop teams and players in his past roles. We believe that with Stefan Leitl and his assistant coach Andre Mijatović, we can swiftly turn our fortunes around on the field.”
In his own words, Leitl shared, “Hertha BSC is a remarkable club with tremendous potential and a dedicated fan base. I am excited about the challenge of stabilizing this team, enhancing its performance, and achieving success. I can’t wait to collaborate with the players, the club’s staff, and the fans who make this club special.”
Leitl’s Previous Tenure at Hannover
Leitl’s most recent coaching role was with Hannover 96, where he began in the summer of 2022. His time in Lower Saxony came to an end in late December after a draw against Hertha. At the time of his dismissal, Hannover was positioned seventh in the league.
Before Hannover, Leitl had a stint with FC Ingolstadt in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2017/18 season but was let go after a challenging start to his second year. In early 2019, he took the helm at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, leading them to Bundesliga promotion in the 2020/21 season. Unfortunately, the top-flight performance was lackluster, and he departed the club at the end of that season.
Mijatović’s Return as Assistant Coach
Joining Leitl’s coaching staff is André Mijatović, his former assistant coach. Mijatović, a former center-back, played for Hertha BSC for two seasons beginning in 2010, making 52 appearances for the club. His playing career also included time at Arminia Bielefeld, Greuther Fürth, and FC Ingolstadt.
Leitl himself has a rich history as a player, featuring in 191 matches in the 2. Bundesliga. He represented FC Ingolstadt, SpVgg Unterhaching, and 1. FC Nürnberg. His connection with Hertha’s head of licensing, Andreas Neuendorf, stems from their time together at FC Ingolstadt.
Challenges Faced Under Fiél
Cristian Fiél’s tenure ended due to a disappointing trend at Hertha BSC, culminating in a painful 0:2 away loss to Jahn Regensburg, who are currently at the bottom of the table. This defeat intensified discussions about the coaching situation. Though the team showed signs of improvement against 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Düsseldorf, they still failed to secure points, leading to Fiél’s dismissal after what was clearly one loss too many.
Currently, after 22 matchdays, Hertha sits in 14th place in the second division with 25 points, just five points above the relegation zone. With eight points separating them from 17th place, which would result in direct relegation, the club’s aspirations of vying for direct promotion have become a distant goal, as they trail by a significant 14 points.
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