Despite forgetting his appropriate coaching certificates in the United States and Mexico, Jürgen Klinsmann had his license renewed in time to be on the bench for Hertha Berlin’s massive clash against Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion on Sunday. After watching Bayern run rampant in the second half of a 4-0 victory, the former USMNT manager probably wishes that the German Football Association had made a clerical example of him.
Klinsmann took control of Hertha with the club in 14th place and immediately went on a run of eight points from five matches — all played against clubs higher than Hertha in the table — heading into the winter break.
The “new manager bounce” and Bayern’s inconsistent form over the first half of the season had Berliners dreaming of a famous victory, and Klinsmann certainly would’ve taken immense joy in getting one over on the club he spent two years playing for before coaching for one disastrous season in 2008-09.
Although the home side failed to land a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes of play, Hertha looked organized and frustrated Bayern throughout while threatening intermittently on the counter.
The second half was a completely different story with Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcântara and Ivan Perišić all putting Hertha’s crumbling rearguard to the sword.
.@FCBayernUS get the breakthrough! Thomas Muller slams home to give them the 1-0 lead in Berlin. pic.twitter.com/eS7nWv1iuL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 19, 2020
Thia-GOLAZO! pic.twitter.com/elFW5SI93V
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 19, 2020
19-year-old Canadian phenom Alphonso Davies lasted 80 minutes at left back for Bayern and showcased his incredible recovery speed on a number of occasions.
Bayern is now three points behind RB Leipzig at the top of the table. The club's next match is at home against fifth-place Schalke on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Hertha falls to 14th and is just two points clear of Werder Bremen and the relegation zone. Next up is a trip to ninth-place Wolfsburg.
