Mads Pedersen details conflict with former coach Sandro Wagner

Hertha BSC defender Mads Pedersen has detailed a severe conflict with former FC Augsburg head coach Sandro Wagner that led to his departure from the club. Pedersen claims the relationship deteriorated after a dispute during a pre-season friendly against Sunderland in the summer of 2025.

Following a recovery from injury, Pedersen declined to play in the match against Sunderland to avoid the risk of re-injury, citing hamstring cramps during warm-ups. Pedersen alleges that Wagner subsequently labeled him and another player as “rats” in the locker room, implying they were leaking information to the media.

The dispute escalated to the point where Pedersen and another player were removed from the squad and the dressing room. Pedersen was relegated to the second team and banned from the professional training grounds, prompting legal intervention by lawyers. Following these events, Pedersen joined Hertha BSC this summer.