Berlin, Jan 28, 2023 (AFP) - Hertha Berlin sacked sporting director Fredi Bobic on Saturday, just hours after their home loss to city rivals Union Berlin.

In a statement, Hertha said club management "have released managing director for sport Fredi Bobic from his duties with immediate effect."

Union scored a goal in each half to win 2-0, their fifth consecutive derby victory.

Before the match, Bobic told German TV that Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz was safe in his job.

The result saw Union climb into second place in the table, where they are now just a point behind Bayern Munich, while Hertha sit second from bottom.

Bobic joined Hertha in the summer of 2021, after a successful stint in the same role at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hertha narrowly escaped relegation last season, beating second-tier Hamburg in a two-legged playoff to preserve their top-flight status.