by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 21 (silubaba) -- One of Pal Dardai's outstanding skills is in always creating a pleasant mood.
No matter how dark times might be, the 47-year-old is constantly wearing a smile. When rainstorms move over the city, he talks of sunshine and the magic of springtime.
Perhaps for this reason, the leaders of struggling Hertha Berlin have decided to call on the Hungarian to lead the club for a third time.
Again, Dardai seems to follow his gut feeling of creating high spirits and flavoring his statements with a touch of humor.
While his mission couldn't be more delicate, the returning coach talks about the coming weeks as if his team and he are attending a summer training camp.
Ahead of the game against Werder Bremen this Saturday, he praised the mood and determination of all involved.
"This works perfectly, outstandingly great. I could stay at home and do some home office," he stated with a broad smile on his face.
He is gaining power from what everybody is contributing, he added.
The sporting situation comes near a final countdown, but the returning Hertha manager continues to take the pressure off the shoulders of his players.
"Every time he took over, we were impressed by his coolness," former Hertha sporting director Arne Friedrich said.
Last time, Dardai organized a play in the locker room with players wearing costumes. His training regimen has included water polo, modern pentathlon, basketball tournaments and laser tag.
Coming along with his unusual actions is rational work, including new ways to carry out free-kick situations. More than ever, the tasks ahead appear like mind games for him.
While the club's sporting and financial situation leaves space for deep concern, the Bundesliga's bottom side's realistic goal can only be to reach the relegation play-off spot against the third-placed team from the Bundesliga 2.
"We don't play my tactics; this is about what the players and the team can deliver," he said, adding he is full of energy despite the challenging times.
Dardai called his mission a "piece of cake" as everyone is keeping their feet behind the line and giving all they have.
"It's easy to be the coach for six or eight games. You are the one everyone follows," the Hertha coach said.
Next to unorthodox training content, the former midfielder is relying on group meetings and face-to-face talks.
Until Saturday and the first opportunity to turn things for the better, Dardai is trying to draw a convincing picture of the "many options we have in our squad."
The pictures in his head seem promising. "We take the lead in front of 70,000 fans and feel the power this club still has." ■
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