Bobic eagerly awaits Arne Maier's return: "Hertha can be proud of him."
As new Hertha BSC Sporting CEO Fredi Bobic explained to Germany's Sport Bild on Tuesday, there is no longer any doubt that the German U21 championship-winning captain is in the capital city club's plans.
Until recently, there was some talk of an extended loan stay for German U21 captain Arne Maier at Armenia Bielefeld. Incoming Hertha chief executive Fredi Bobic put the discussion to rest when speaking to Germany's Sport Bild on Tuesday.
"We are planning on Arne Maier's return," the 49-year-old told the tabloid, "We are very pleased with his development these past few months under Bielefeld coach Frank Kramer. That was quite neat. It did him a lot of good. And as captain of the U21s, he played a leadership role and ultimately lifted the trophy in the air. Hertha can be very proud of that!"
Maier joined Bielefeld on loan after signing a contract extension with Hertha this past October. Until this spring, it looked to be an unproductive loan spell for the 22-year-old. He started just twice under former DSC trainer Uwe Neuhaus. Maier's underutilization, it is believed in German footballing circles, was one reason Neuhaus was ultimately dismissed at the beginning of March.
Maier started every match under Kramer and Germany U21 head-coach Stefan Kuntz tapped Maier to captain his squad during the U21 European Championship group stages in March.