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Marco Van Bastard's Hertha Berlin began domestic proceedings in strong fashion, with 3 wins, 1 loss and a draw, progressing to the 2nd round of the DFB-Pokal and sitting in 5th position in the Bundesliga

Hertha twice came from behind to beat Neustrelitz in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, in a game which should have been more comfortable than it was. Hertha boasted 70% possession and 27 shots on target, but struggled to put the ball in the net.

An unglamorous 2-0 away win to strugglers Werder Bremen followed, in a game where Hertha rarely look troubled, which was won with clinical finishing. 2 shots on target. 2 goals.

Van Bastard disposed of the cautious, counter attacking approach in the following game, fielding a very attacking 4-3-3 which disposed of a limp Monchengladbach 4-1, topped off by an outstanding display from new acquisition Omer Toprak. A rare brace for a centre back.

Hertha travelled to Schalke the following weekend, where the touted title challengers made easy work of the game. Hertha were fortunate to go in at half time with the scoreline only at 1-0. Shalke finished off the job with aplomb after the break, with a man of the match performance from Kevin Prince Boateng, who orchestrated 2 assists and won the penalty. Hertha only scraped 1 shot on target in what was a disappointing performance after an impressive start to the season.

Freiburg were the visitors for the final game of the month of August, and van Bastard will be furious his Hertha side couldn't take advantage of Freiburg's red card with half an hour remaining. Freiburg mustered up a stunning comeback, scoring 2 goals after the red card was shown. Hertha failed to take advantage of the extra man, as the match petered out in the final 10 minutes.


Schalke race to the top of the league after 4 games, without conceding a single goal, whilst stuttered starts from favourites Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund has surprised many. Newly promoted Hertha Berlin have started strongly, and staked their claim on a strong survival tilt. At the other end of the table, Hamburger, Hannover and Werder Bremen will be gunning to get out of the bottom of the table as quickly as possible.

With transfer deadline day on the 2nd September, it's last chance saloon for title pushers and drop-zone survivors to improve their squads for the last time before January.

Very good results mate! Keep it up!

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“Ref bottled it” – van Bastard

Hertha head coach Marco van Bastard launched a scathing attack on referee Thorsten Kinhöfer after today’s draw with Freiburg. Adrian Ramos appeared to have been impeded in the penalty area in the 87th minute by goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, but Kinhöfer waved away protests.

“I saw it at the time, and I’ve seen it again, and again, and again” van Bastard recalled.

“The ball? He’s nowhere near it. He wraps his legs around Ramos and hauls him down. Not only is it a penalty. It’s a red card.”

“He’s bottled it. He’s already sent off Günter 20 minutes earlier. Quite rightly as well, for a reckless two footed lunge.”

“Freiburg got themselves back in the game. He didn’t want to take that away from them. He didn’t have the guts to give a penalty in the last minute.”

“If he’s incapable of doing his job, then he shouldn’t have turned up for work”

The German DFB have investigated van Bastards remarks and have demanded the Dutchman to clarify his stance. The DFB have given Marco van Bastard until 5th September to clarify his comments, with the possibility of a further hearing.

Ah, at least crap refs aren't as common as they are in England. Good start too, though why, may U ask, does your logopack have Eintracht Braunschweig's old badge?

A very, very good start to your story. Keep this up, it is quality so far.

Also, what logo pack are you using? The logos look very nice.

just read your story, its greaT! keep up the good work

Louis O: Cheers buddy. As for the old badge, I've been using the same graphics pack since FM12, so there's a couple of out of date badges

Walter: Thanks alot! I honestly couldn't tell you which pack I'm using. I got it for FM12 and used it ever since.

WeAreFev: Thanks for the kind words

Just read all of this! Very good start keep it up mate:D

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With the Bundesliga's big clubs making their lucrative moves early in the summer, it was not expected to be an extraordinarily busy deadline day, though with contract talks at a standstill, it was predicted that Borussia Dortmund's prolific forward, Robert Lewandowski, would be forced to leave the club to ensure he didn't leave for free at the end of the season.

Interest for Lewandowski remained the talking point throughout the day, with interest from Europe's elite. Borussia Dortmund accepted undisclosed bids from Juventus, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG and Monaco, but rejected a £20million bid from title rivals Bayern Munich, citing their refusal to sell to a domestic rival as their reason, and stating that they would not be willing to listen to any offers for Robert Lewandowski from within the Bundesliga.

Sky Sports (UK) believed that Robert Lewandowski was in advanced talks with Chelsea with only 2 hours remaining in the window, but this rumour was quashed by his agent. It was claimed that Lewandowski was only interested in signing for Bayern Munich, but Borussia Dortmund were adament this deal would not happen.

The transfer window closed at 11:00pm, and journalists had no concrete answer of who Robert Lewandowski had signed for.

Sandro Rossell contacted the press at 11:52pm. The Barcelona president was photographed with the Polish talisman, holding aloft a Barcelona shirt, and the #20 squad number. Barcelona has snatched the clinical striker for a confirmed £14.25million on a 5 year contract.


And here is a round up of the Bundesliga's top 5 Deadline Day moves, and the rest of Europe's biggest transactions:
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Marco Van Bastard's budgetary constraints at Hertha Berlin reduced his Deadline Day business to two free transfer coups:

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Hertha Berlin continued their strong start to the season, returning from the international break in strong fashion with 3 wins and 1 draw, whilst advancing to the 3rd round of the DFB-Pokal


What should have been a routine win over strugglers Hoffenheim turned into a tense finish. A 3-0 lead was reduced to 3-2, after the visitors forced two scrappy goals in 3 minutes, with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Van Bastard's men weathered the storm, but will disappointed to have not kept a clean sheet after dominating the match.

Hertha travelled to Augsburg who have also started strongly, pinching an away draw at the Allianz to Bayern Munich, who have struggled to get going under Guardiola. Hertha made things difficult for themselves from the off, as Schulz was shown a red card after just 6 minutes, forcing van Bastard's men to see out the rest of the game with only 10 men. They will rue dropping 2 points as Hertha led 2-1, with substitute Marco Sau taking the lead from a well worked set piece. That was until the 88th minute, when de Jong snatched an equaliser at the death.

Eintracht Trier in the DFB-Pokal were Hertha's next opposition, as van Bastard rung in the changes, fielding a team with 11 changes from the team which started against Augsburg, with new signing Marco Sau making his first start since his deadline day capture after an impressive substitute appearance at the weekend. Van Bastard may be concerned at his side's lack of ability to keep a clean sheet, even against the lesser sides, but a 4-1 win will keep his concerns at bay for the time being, as he reduced Trier to only one shot on target for the entire 90 minutes.

Hamburg travelled to the Olympiastadion to face the in-form Hertha, and their domestic troubles continued as Hertha mounted a 2-0 win, in a game where the victory was never in question. The capital city outfit didn't allow Hamburg many touches of the ball, as they hogged possession, winning it back quickly, and stole the points with two deft finishes from inside the box.


Borussia Dortmund have recovered from an indifferent start by climbing to the top of the table, however it is Champions Bayern Munich who continue to struggle under Pep Guardiola. Die Bayern supporters have been very critical of Guardiola's reign so far, as he favours a narrow attack, which currently excludes fan-favourites Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and new star signing, Mario Götze.

Newly promoted Hertha Berlin continue to impress under the boisterous and outlandish Marco van Bastard, who are the joint highest goal scorers in the league, though their squad depth is yet to be tested as they have boasted a clean bill of health so far.

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"Mukhtar can be better than Messi" - van Bastard

Hertha head coach Marco Van Bastard was full of praise for German U21 International Hany Mulkhtar, who has started every game for Die Hauptstadter this season. The 18 year old has been van Bastard's primary creative outlet in the opening stages of the season, and has continued to impress.

"When I came here, there were few diamonds, and alot of rough. My ambitions are high, and always will be. I only wanted the right players on board as we stabilise this club in the top flight".

"I was criticised for making too many changes, but those who I sold were not right for me, my ambitions, my direction"

"I hand picked Hany out of the under 19s. I saw his ability, his confidence. He is 18, but he plays like 28."

"His talent, you don't see often. He is special. Special like Lionel Messi. Special like Cristiano Ronaldo. He can reach that level if he wants it. He can be that good."

Hany Mukhtar has staked his claim for a starting birth at Hertha and is possibly in contention for a place in the Germany squad for next summer's World Cup, racking up an impressive 4 goals and 6 assists in 7 league games.

"He is the type of player I need for what I want to achieve. He is magnificent, but he never stands still. He always wants more"

When asked about Bayern Munich's rumoured interest in the 18 year old, van Bastard was defiant

"£200million and not a penny less, and maybe we'll talk. Maybe. Actually, probably not. I don't sell this type of player."

those are some nice results! keep it up
Loving the update style!

2013-11-17 17:54#144491 HamoudiLFC : those are some nice results! keep it up
Loving the update style!

Cheers Pleased with the results so far, but Schalke-aside, I don't think I've played a top side yet. Wolfsburg next up, so that will be one of Hertha's biggest tests so far!

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An impressive month for Hertha, though van Bastard will feel his side could be top of the league comprehensively. Hertha have overcome the odds and beaten very strong sides, but are lacking consistency to carry that form into the games they are expected to win. Hertha are a side for the big occasion, that's for sure!


A hard fought away win for Hertha at Wolfsburg kicked off October. Smash and grab, with Omer Toprak heading in a corner just before half time. Wolfsburg had the better of the spoils and dominated possession, but Hertha defended immaculately to see out the game

What should have been a hammering turned into 2 points lost. Hertha pinned Braunschweig back for the majority of the game, creating numerous chances, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. After Mukhtar's sublime finish after only 2 minutes, a rout looked on the cards, but they couldn't make those chances count. A spectacular equaliser sent Hertha fans home with their heads in their hands.

Mainz got their tactics spot on as van Bastard's men just couldn't get the ball, bossing the midfield with the narrow 4-4-2 diamond. Even with 10 men, they continued to see a healthy dose of possession and saw the game out as worthy winners. A bad day at the office for van Bastard.

Hertha unexpectedly bounced back with a win against title challengers Dortmund, who are struggling for goals since the loss of Lewandowski to Barcelona. Dortmund mustered up 66% possession, but couldn't create anything of worth, whilst Hertha acted clinically in the penalty area. Two smart finishes swooped the points, and continued to pile the pressure onto under-fire Jurgen Klopp

Surely it couldn't get any better for Hertha, who are this seasons surprise package in the top half of an unpredictable Bundesliga? It could. A 6-0 walloping of Champions League participants Bayer Leverkusen, with the remarkable Hany Mukhtar scoring 4 goals in 17 minutes, and provided the assist for Kluge's brace. A world class performance.

The juggernaut was halted, as van Bastard rested some of his key players, underestimating Nurnberg who dug deep to come back from 2-0 down to rightfully earn a 2-2 draw, which denied Hertha from going top of the league for the first time this season. Van Bastard may rue a missed opportunity to sit at the top of the pile.

Champions Bayern Munich recover from a very indifferent start to the campaign, and return to the Bundesliga summit, matched on points by van Bastard's dynamic Hertha Berlin side who have been turning heads, after being expected to be slugging it out for survival; not tussling for Champions League football. It's exceedingly tight at the top, with only 5 points separating 1st and 8th place.

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Van Bastard rewarded with new contract and transfer warchest

Hertha Berlin head coach Marco van Bastard has been rewarded with a new lucrative contract only 5 months into his reign at the capital city club.

Van Bastard has steered Hertha into 2nd place, level on points with the Champions Bayern Munich, but with a slightly inferior goal difference. The bookmakers tipped Hertha to be locked into a relegation battle, but they have defied the odds are are continuing to persue European qualification.

Hertha Director of Sport Michael Preetz stated "Van Bastards leadership and achievements in such a short space of time have been tremendous. He has steered us through some difficult moments and he has gotten the very best out of his squad"

"We don't want to lose him at the end of the season, or the end of the next season. We have extended his contract to 2018, and we will give him the funds necessary to continue pushing for European qualification."

"We will look to invest £35million into the squad in January. Van Bastard has identified both the goalkeeper and right wing positions as an area in need of improvement, and we intend to bring in good players to bolster the numbers as soon as we can"

"We have put ourselves into a good position, taken advantage of the stuttered starts from the big clubs, and we would be foolish to not try and push on."

The transfer window opens in just one months time, and it is expected Van Bastard will be on the market for a new first choice goalkeeper and a right sided attacker.