Kicker Report: Hertha will not sign new keeper to replace Jarstein
Hertha BSC sporting CEO Fredi Bobic and head-coach Sandro Schwarz have both confided to Steffen Rohr of German footballing magazine Kicker that they will not seek another keeper before the transfer window closes.
As recently as last Thursday, Hertha chief sporting executive Fredi Bobic asserted that he would be looking around for a new keeper to back up Oliver Christensen following Rune Jarstein's suspension and presumed coming release. Having had taken the weekend to think about it, however, Bobic has apparently decided against making another move.
Hertha will instead roll with Tjark Ernst (19) and Robert Kwasigroch (18) behind the relatively inexperienced (insofar as the Bundesliga is concerned) 23-year-old Dane. Tim Goller (17) and Maximilian Mohwinkel (18) might also get a look. There were some loose links with FSV Mainz keeper Finn Dhamen, but those never got to more advanced stages as they did with Augsburg.
"The development with Rune was not anticipated," Hertha trainer Sandro Schwarz noted after Tuesday's training session "But I'm not fond of doing something just to present a security and peace-of-mind to outsiders. The players you bring in have to take you to another level individually in terms of quality."
"Accordingly, we have positioned ourselves clearly," Schwarz continued, "Olli [Christensen is still at the beginning of his development, and behind him we have very good young goalkeepers. I think then you also have to be brave enough to give these youngsters time."
Schwarz's words appear to settle the issue. Journalist Rohr, who almost certainly spoke with Bobic before presenting his article, has essentially confirmed that there will be no Jarstein replacement arriving in the capital city before Thursday's deadline.