Hertha back Funkel despite defeat

(GSM) – Hertha BSC president Werner Gegenbauer has revealed that the Berlin giants will not relive coach Friedhelm Funkel from his duties despite the club being bottom of the league.

The club board met on Sunday night to discuss the club’s predicament after their 2-1 defeat to FC Nürnberg at the weekend leaving Hertha nine points adrift of safety.

But Gegenbauer revealed sacking Funkel does not appear to be on the agenda at the moment.

“I have received no signal from (general manager) Michael Preetz that his faith (in Funkel) has wavered,” he told the local RBB television.

“I am responsible for the contracts of Preetz and financial director Ingo Schiller and there are absolutely no changes.”

Preetz told awaiting reporters yesterday that he “would not be leading a discussion about the coach”.