Hertha BSC 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup and expectations

A full preview of Hertha BSC’s 2026/27 season - including summer transfers, pre-season results, predicted starting XI and expectations for the upcoming campaign.

Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Hertha BSC head into the 2026/27 campaign preparing for a fourth consecutive season in the 2. Bundesliga. After another frustrating year fell short of promotion, Stefan Leitl’s side will look to go again in their quest for a Bundesliga return. 

Looking back at 2025/26

For a club with ambitions of returning to the Bundesliga, last season ultimately ended in disappointment.

Promotion was the expectation internally before the campaign began, but Hertha once again failed to mount a sustained challenge. A superb spell between October and the end of November, which produced seven consecutive victories across all competitions, briefly reignited hopes that a top-three finish was within reach.

However, those aspirations quickly faded. From December onwards, Hertha struggled for consistency, winning just six of their final 20 league matches. That poor run saw them finish seventh with 51 points, well short of the promotion places.

The coach

Stefan Leitl now enters his second full season in charge after replacing Christian Fiel midway through the 2024/25 campaign.

The 48-year-old has overseen 50 matches as Hertha head coach, recording 22 wins, 13 draws and 15 defeats, giving him a win rate of 44 percent. He also has previous experience of winning promotion from the division, having guided Greuther Fürth to the Bundesliga in 2021.

Summer transfers

Hertha’s transfer activity has been dominated by departures, underlining the financial reality the club continues to face.

Several key figures have moved on, most notably captain Fabian Reese, who joined fellow 2. Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. Michael Cuisance has completed a move to Lens, Kennet Eichhorn departed for Bayer Leverkusen, while goalkeeper Tjark Ernst signed for Feyenoord.

Michal Karbownik and Jeremy Dudziak have also left the capital, leaving the squad in the midst of a significant rebuild.

The club’s only arrival so far is midfielder Oluwaseun Adewumi, who has joined on loan from Burnley. With plenty of work still to do before the transfer window closes, sporting director Benjamin Weber faces a crucial few weeks as he looks to strengthen a depleted squad.

Pre-season recap

Despite limited transfer business and lingering uncertainty surrounding the squad, Hertha have at least enjoyed a positive pre-season.

They recorded emphatic victories over Frohnauer SC (15-0), SV Lichtenberg (9-0) and Lokomotive Leipzig (3-1), before edging Austrian Bundesliga side Tirol 3-2.

Draws against South Africans Mamelodi Sundowns (1-1) and Bundesliga side FC Köln (2-2) ensured Hertha completed their preparations unbeaten.

Predicted starting XI

The departures of several experienced players are expected to create opportunities for a number of academy graduates and younger squad members.

One player who could establish himself this season is Boris Mamuzah Lum. The highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder has long been viewed as one of the club’s brightest prospects and made six league appearances last season. Following an encouraging pre-season, he looks well placed to earn a regular starting role.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):

Gersbeck; Eitschberger, Gechter, Dardai, Zeefuik; Seguin, Sessa; Winkler, Lum, Brekalo; Schuler

Opening fixtures

Hertha begin their league campaign with the opening match of the 2. Bundesliga season, travelling to VfL Bochum on Friday 7 August.

Their first home fixture follows against recently relegated Heidenheim before they round off the opening month with an away trip to Eintracht Braunschweig.

Supporters can also look forward to the inaugural Freundschaftsspiel against Karlsruher SC at the Olympiastadion on 28 November.

Expectations for 2026/27

Compared to 12 months ago, expectations around the club have been tempered considerably.

With several influential players departing and financial stability remaining a priority, a season of consolidation appears the most realistic objective. At this stage, a serious promotion challenge looks unlikely unless significant reinforcements arrive before the transfer window closes.

The 2. Bundesliga has a habit of producing surprises, and an experienced coach like Leitl knows what it takes to escape the division. Should Hertha build early momentum, they could yet find themselves competing towards the top end of the table, particularly in what appears to be an open promotion race beyond favourites Wolfsburg.

Given the scale of the squad overhaul and the limited number of arrivals so far, a finish anywhere inside the top nine would represent a respectable campaign and provide a platform for the club to continue rebuilding both on and off the pitch.