GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Press conference by Hertha sporting director Dieter Hoeness who have the league's worst record since the winter break

It was the ninth match without a win for Hertha, who have the league's worst record since the winter break, losing six of their last eight games as well as being eliminated from the German Cup by VfB Stuttgart. Speaking at a news conference, sporting director Dieter Hoeness said that reserve team coach Karsten Heine would replace the 45-year-old Goetz until the end of the season. "Let me begin with a formal statement: With immediate effect, Hertha BSC parted from chief coach Falko Goetz and assistant coach Andi Thom. Karsten Heine is new chief coach, Sven Kretschmer will be new assistant coach," said Hoeness. Hertha's poor run has seen them drop out of the race for one of Germany's three Champions League berths to eighth place in the 18-team division, just five points above the drop zone. Hoeness, who has also faced criticism from Hertha fans and the local media, said his own removal as sporting director was not discussed at a series of crisis meetings with club executives on Sunday and Monday after the Bielefeld draw. "We have no doubt at all that Karsten Heine is the right, the ideal man in this situation. (pauses) Above all -- and there were many reasons in favour of him -- above all, the following reasons speak for him: he is an excellent soccer expert and excellent coach. He already showed that in his career. He has already worked with a large part of the team," Hoeness told reporters. Heine, 52, coached Hertha twice before. He was the coach from May to June 1991 in the Bundesliga and from March 1994 to December 1995 when Hertha played in the second division. Hoeness said it was open whether Heine's contract would be extended. "I am convinced that we will succeed, with Sven Kretschmer at my side and the crew you already know which has been working with the team for some time, a team that is no stranger to me either. I am looking forward to it and let's hope that things will turn out the way we hope they will." Goetz took over in July 2004 and led the team to fourth and sixth place in the next two seasons and qualification for the UEFA Cup. He also coached on an interim basis for 13 matches in 2001/2002. Hoeness declined to comment on media reports that Goetz will receive a one million euro settlement. Hertha had gone through an even longer 13-match winless streak last season but held on to Goetz because of their strained finances.

ITN Source | April 11, 2007

Tags:. .crew. .losing. .december. .already. .situation