Bundesliga
Sandro Schwarz succeeds Felix Magath at Hertha
Sandro Schwarz has been named new head coach of Hertha Berlin on a two-year deal through to summer 2024.
Schwarz, 43, returns to Germany after a successful two-year stint in charge of Russia's Dinamo Moscow. The former Mainz player and coach replaces interim boss Felix Magath, who steered the Old Lady to top-flight safety via the relegation play-off.
"When I was looking for a new Hertha coach I focused not only on technical qualities but on enthusiasm, passion and emotion," said sporting director Fredi Bobic. "Sandro has shown that during his time with Mainz and Dynamo Moscow."
Watch: Hertha skipped the trapdoor after beating Hamburg in their play-off second leg
An ex-teammate of Jürgen Klopp at Mainz, Schwarz went on to coach the club's U19s and reserves, before taking charge of the seniors ahead of the 2017/18 Bundesliga campaign. He oversaw 14th and 12th-place finishes, but was dismissed after a run of two wins and nine defeats to start 2019/20.
Schwarz returned to the dugout in October 2020. After steering Dinamo to seventh, he masterminded their most successful season in over a decade as the Moscow outfit finished third in the 2021/22 Russian Premier League. He also took them to the Russian Cup final.
"I had some very good discussions with Fredi Bobic," added Schwarz. "Everything was open and clear. I really want to shape the restart at Hertha. The club has gone through a difficult period and I am looking forward to turning that into a positive, with lots of joy and energy."
Schwarz is Hertha's seventh head coach since he departed Mainz in November 2019. The Old Lady slipped into the relegation play-off spot on the final day of 2021/22 and lost their relegation play-off first leg 1-0, but triumped 2-0 in the reverse fixture to preserve their top-flight status.