Werner Gegenbauer has drawn the conclusion from the long sporting misery of Hertha BSC. The 71-year-old resigned from his post as president of the Berlin club despite the late save by the 2-0 win at Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga relegation on Tuesday. Gegenbauer paves the way for a fresh start at the top of the club. Hertha has not yet confirmed the top personnel that was expected.
Gegenbauer came before the resignation of a possible deselection at the Hertha general meeting this Sunday. Even before the success in Hamburg, there had been motions against the entrepreneur to be voted out. In the last re-election in October 2020, Gegenbauer received only 54 percent of the votes unopposed.
Several weeks ago, million-dollar investor Lars Windhorst caused a sensation with massive criticism of Gegenbauer and his club policy. The financial expert had accused Gegenbauer of wasting his investment of 375 million euros. The lender directly called for Gegenbauer to be voted out.
It no longer has to come to that. With his resignation, a Hertha era comes to an inglorious end. Gegenbauer was elected president in 2008, before that he was chairman of the supervisory board. During his tenure, Hertha was relegated twice. The image of a gray capital club always stuck with her.
In addition to Gegenbauer, CFO Ingo Schiller is also resigning. Hertha confirmed this on Tuesday. The managing director will only remain in office until October 31, on which both sides have agreed. This means that Fredi Bobic is currently the only remaining managing director of the Berliners in the long term, after Carsten Schmidt resigned last year for personal reasons. Bobic still has a contract until 2024.
Gegenbauer is considered an excellent string puller. However, even in the most recent crisis, he hardly appeared in public. Windhorst accused him of cheating. Through his consortium, Gegenbauer also maintains business in the Hertha hazy area via Olympiastadion GmbH, which, according to the information provided by those involved, was properly advertised.
A successor to Gegenbauer must be chosen at an extraordinary general meeting, which can only take place a few weeks after the event scheduled for Sunday. Most recently, the former Ultra and current entrepreneur Kay Bernstein had positioned himself. According to Windhorst, he is not interested in the position and does not want to present a candidate. At the meeting in the exhibition hall on Sunday, however, Windhorst wants to speak to the Hertha members.
