Sandro Schwarz did not avoid any question and found emotional words.

His controversial decision to remain at Dynamo Moscow despite the Russian attack on Ukraine was the central theme of his first media round as the new coach of Hertha BSC.

The 43-year-old remained very clear on the matter: "Everyone knows my position on this war of aggression.

What I can say: The people from the Dynamo environment are good people who have a clear stance, like all of us, on the subject," said Schwarz on Friday.

He felt an "inner turmoil".

Russian players often sat with him and they "cried together".

The 43-year-old was clearly concerned about the people around him in Moscow. He didn't stay for sporting or economic reasons, but out of a sense of responsibility for his players and the club's employees.

These have the "same values", said the new Hertha head coach.

If there had been doubts about the attitude of the club environment, he would have returned to Germany immediately.

Nevertheless, he understands critical questions.

He felt the "expectation" to return to Germany.

The war has also changed life in Moscow since February.

“The war was also felt in Russia.

The fears.

Everyone around felt it.

Everyone had their own blows of fate with relatives, with friends in Ukraine," said Schwarz.

The 43-year-old left Moscow after losing the cup final earlier in the week.

Previously, he had been enthusiastically celebrated by the Dynamo fans.

As the successor to Felix Magath, Schwarz has a contract with Hertha until mid-2024.

Black wants to speak to Boateng

Understandably, Schwarz needs to familiarize himself more with the club in the capital before he publicly speaks in detail about goals in the table, squad planning and the team.

“It will be about developing an identity, a way of playing, for us from day one.

Where people then also recognize: This is a Hertha team,” said the 43-year-old, who coached 1. FSV Mainz 05 between 2017 and 2019 before Moscow.

The coach gave the line that the task would be approached with humility and diligence, without spitting out loud in public.

He has been in close contact with managing director Fredi Bobic since the relegation second leg of Hertha.

Bobic, who will be working with his fourth Hertha coach in just over a year, praised Schwarz's "enthusiasm, passion and emotionality" after his appointment.

In the coming season, the Berliners should show "active and forward-looking kind of football", as Schwarz put it on Friday.

He wanted to create a change of mood, said Schwarz.

"Now we have to tackle it together." However, an old acquaintance will not be there: the former Hertha striker Andrei Voronin, who assisted Schwarz in Moscow until the beginning of the war and recently praised him highly on the club's website had not come back to Berlin.

In his coaching staff, Schwarz relies on Volkan Bolut and Daniel Fischer, who had already accompanied him at Dynamo Moscow.

Tamás Bódog joins as another assistant.

Schwarz wants to talk personally about the future with Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was born in Berlin and was the team leader in the final stages of last season.

After staying in the class, Boateng said he would like to play for Hertha for another year.