Former Hertha Berlin coach Juergen Klinsmann faced his fans and critics on Wednesday in an online response to his shock resignation from the Bundesliga team.
With a serious look on his face, Klinsmann delivered a 13-minute monologue via laptop.
The former Germany coach first apologised to the Hertha fans in front of an internet camera for the circumstances of his sudden departure and then appeared to try to salvage his badly damaged reputation with his comments.
"The way of going about it is of course questionable," Klinsmann said in the video chat about his sudden resignation as head coach of the Bundesliga club after only 11 weeks.
The shock waves of his resignation could lead to a crucial test for the club.
In a crisis phone call, club president Werner Gegenbauer and investor Lars Windhorst had previously discussed a way out of the crisis, according to dpa sources.
The financier is also reportedly not happy about Klinsmann's emotional farewell, as he himself had appointed him to the supervisory board as a close confidant.
Klinsmann emphasised his farewell had nothing to do with demands for money, but only with differences of opinion when it came to how to divide responsibilities between himself and Hertha sports director Michael Preetz.
"It can only be one person who makes the decisions, and that's the coach," said the 55-year-old. Referring to Preetz, he said: "We wore ourselves out in many, many side-shows."
Before the video chat, Klinsmann had announced he wanted to answer questions, but unlike his time as a Hertha coach, he did not specifically respond to individual users.
However, Klinsmann still spoke of a possible return to the club's supervisory board. "It's up to everyone at Hertha, I have no problem with it," he said.
A public mud-slinging match seems imminent.
The club closed ranks, issuing an invitation to a joint press conference by Windhorst, Gegenbauer and Preetz on Thursday.
Many questions remain unanswered ahead of the club officials breaking their silence.
Klinsmann stepped down on Tuesday after just 11 weeks as Hertha coach, saying he would return to his original long-term role on the supervisory board.
But sources close to Windhorst told dpa the question of Klinsmann's return to the board would be dealt with when calm had returned following the surprise resignation.
German news magazine Der Spiegel reported on Wednesday Klinsmann would not hold any office in the club in future, and he will leave the board.
Assistant coach Alexander Nouri has taken over head coaching duties as Hertha, 14th in the league and six points off a relegation place, prepare for Saturday's match at bottom club Paderborn.
Australian Associated Press