Only 76 days after his arrival, German football legend Jürgen Klinsmann, coach of Hertha Berlin, announced on Tuesday his resignation, considering that he does not have enough support from the club, in the fight to avoid relegation.

"As a coach, I need the trust of the people involved in this task, which is not yet finished", wrote the 55-year-old technician on his official Facebook page. His agent Roland Eitel confirmed this information to SID, the sports subsidiary of AFP.

"In the fight against relegation, unity, cohesion, and concentration are essentially the most important elements. If they are not guaranteed, I cannot exploit my potential as a coach and cannot assume my responsibilities," added the former forward.

According to the popular newspaper Bild, Klinsmann wanted to clarify his future with Hertha Berlin as soon as possible, after signing a contract only until the end of the current season.

The management wanted to wait and see the team's progress this season before renewing him, which did not please the 1990 World Cup champion.

His decision caught the club off guard. "We are surprised by this news this morning," said sports director Michael Preetz, especially by "the cooperation and trust" during the transfer period in which there was "no indication in this regard".

Alexander Nouri, interim coach

Until further notice, assistant coach Alexander Nouri will take charge of the first team as an interim.

Joined at the end of November to replace Ante Covic, the former German national team coach had a positive effect, with several victories before the winter break, including one against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0).

But after the break, the results have been disappointing, with a 4-0 home defeat against Bayern Munich and elimination in the German Cup against Schalke.

The 3-1 home defeat against Mainz on Saturday led the team to 14th place, just six points above the relegation zone.

Klinsmann, who played for Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Monaco among others, earned 108 international caps and scored 47 goals, winning the 1990 World Cup and the 1996 European Championship.

He was later the German national team coach between 2004 and 2006, reaching the semifinals of that World Cup, and the coach of the United States (2011-2016); winning the Gold Cup 2013, reaching the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but failing to qualify for Russia 2018, which cost him his job. (I)