Hertha hires Schwarz as coach after escaping Bundesliga drop

Updated Jun. 2, 2022 4:28 a.m. ET

BERLIN (AP) — Hertha Berlin hired Sandro Schwarz as its new coach on Thursday after narrowly escaping relegation from the Bundesliga.

Schwarz is the latest in a string of coaches tasked with bridging the gulf between

Despite the backing of wealthy investor Lars Windhorst, Hertha finished 16th in the Bundesliga and only escaped the drop by

“With his personality and his positive and forward-thinking style of football, Sandro can create a connection between what happens out on the pitch and the club culture. That is what we need at Hertha BSC,” the club's managing director for sport Fredi Bobic said in a statement.

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Schwarz arrives after coaching Russian club Dynamo Moscow, where he stayed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, even as fellow German coach Markus Gisdol

Schwarz took Dynamo to third in the Russian league and runner-up in the Russian Cup final on Sunday. That didn't earn Dynamo a spot in any European competitions for next season because UEFA has barred Russian teams over the invasion of Ukraine.

Schwarz is better known in the Bundesliga for coaching Mainz from 2017 through 2019, with a best finish of 12th.

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