Sebastian Hertner
Sebastian Hertner was a German professional footballer who played as a defender. Hertner spent his entire professional career in Germany, and played in the 2. Bundesliga for 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt 98. He was part of the German under-18 and under-19 youth national teams between 2008 and 2009.
He died in a ski lift accident in Montenegro on 21 December 2025.
Club career
Early career
Born on 2 May 1991 in Leonberg, Hertner started his career at the academy of KSG Gerlingen, before joining the academy of VfB Stuttgart in 2005. In the summer of 2009, Hertner joined VfB Stuttgart II for the 2009–10 season. Over three years, he made 65 appearances for Stuttgart II, scoring once. He joined FC [Schalke 04 II|Schalke 04 II] in 2012, making 35 appearances in the Regionalliga West where he was the captain.1860 Munich
After a season at Schalke 04 II, Hertner joined 1860 Munich on a three-year contract. In a friendly match against St. Gallen in July 2013, Hertner tore a muscle in his left thigh, meaning he missed the first game of the season against FC St. Pauli. He made his debut for 1860 Munich, coming on as a half-time substitute for Grzegorz Wojtkowiak in a DFB-Pokal 4–3 penalties victory over 1. FC Heidenheim, following a 1–1 draw. Over the course of the 2013–14 season, he made 21 league appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, whilst he made just one league appearance in the 2014–15 season before leaving on loan.Erzgebirge Aue
On 20 January 2015, Hertner joined 2. Bundesliga side Erzgebirge Aue on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for Aue on 6 February 2015 as a 65th-minute substitute in a 2–0 victory over RB Leipzig. Despite their relegation to the 3. Liga, it was announced he would join Aue on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee, signing a one-year contract with the club after making 10 appearances during his loan spell there. He scored his first goal for the club and the second of his career on 15 August 2015; a late penalty in a 2–0 victory at home to Stuttgarter Kickers. Having been an integral part of the Aue team that would eventually win promotion back to the 2. Bundesliga come the end of the season, Hertner signed a two-year contract extension with Aue in February 2016, which would keep him at the club until the summer of 2018. During the 2015–16 season, he made 31 league appearances, scoring once.The 2016–17 season marked a return to the 2. Bundesliga for Erzgebirge Aue, though Hertner retained his place in the starting line-up, missing just two league matches all season. It was a largely unremarkable season for the club, finishing 14th and three points above the relegation play-off place. Hertner remained at the club for the 2017–18 season, though played a less vital role, starting just 16 games, in a season where Aue narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 16th.