What made it stranger was that Favre publicly downgraded the goal to a UEFA Cup place while his side were still in the thick of the title race. In the summer of 2009 Dieter Hoeneß left after a long conflict with president Werner Gegenbauer and coach Favre. Former Hertha striker and novice manager Michael Preetz took over.\n\nSelling defensive leader Josip Simunic for seven million euros to Hoffenheim proved an enormous sporting mistake.
Marko Pantelic left on a free transfer, Voronin returned to Liverpool. The hard-won new beginning collapsed.