Friedrich announced at the start of February that he would leave the Bundesliga club at the expiration of his contract at the end of the season, but both parties have decided to make his exit immediate.
Fredi Bobic, Hertha's Head of Sport, said: “We would like to thank Arne Friedrich from the bottom of our hearts, for his drive and support in the last two and a half years. In an open discussion it was decided that, with a view to planning for the upcoming season, it would make more sense to part company now.”
Friedrich, who made the majority of his 300 club appearances for Hertha, joined the staff of the club in late 2019 as Performance Manager under then new manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Six months later he was promoted to Sporting Director.
The 42-year-old is expected to return to USA, where he ended his playing career and has a house.
Friedrich said: “For many different reasons, I have come to feel over the last few months that my influence on important sporting decisions is no longer sufficient for me to fulfil my role as sporting director. As a result, we have come to the mutual decision to part company now.
“I am and I always will be a Herthaner. I hope that the team and everybody who is connected to the club has the short and medium term success, that the club and its people have earned,”
Hertha are presently fighting relegation from the Bundesliga, and sit in 16th place.
Friedrich was a guest speaker at the TransferRoom Virtual Summit in November 2021, where he shared his insights on leadership and player welfare. That interview can be watched here.
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