New Hertha Berlin coach Friedhelm Funkel has warned the club's fans not to expect miracles in his first game in charge.

The Bundesliga club presented the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach today after parting company with Lucien Favre on Monday and he will be plunged straight in at the deep end at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow.

His task is to halt a slide of six consecutive league defeats against the currently unbeaten top-flight leaders, and the 55-year-old has called for patience.

"Hertha is a top club in my eyes, even if it does not seem that way in the league table at the moment," he said.

"The team has the potential and we want to try and bring that out over the coming weeks.

"But nobody should expect miracles because that maybe needs a bit of time."

Funkel has signed a contract until the end of the season with an automatic option for an additional year should he keep the club in the top flight, and he cannot wait to get down to work after spending the last four months out of work.

"It is simply great to coach a Bundesliga side," he said.

"That is the same now as it was 18 years ago and when I head for the bench tomorrow just before six, then that is going to be absolutely fantastic."

Hamburg 's Jerome Boateng was given his first call-up to the Germany national team this week, but his focus is on tomorrow's game.

He has warned his team-mates not to underestimate their hosts tomorrow, particularly now Funkel is in charge.

"It is going to be a tough match," he said.

"Things have not been going particularly well for Hertha, but now they have changed coach and that will bring renewed motivation to the team."