Bosse quake at Bundesliga club
Dispute escalates: TSG managing director on the verge of elimination
November 3, 2025 – 9:33 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In Hoffenheim, events are happening rapidly behind the scenes. Two of the four leading managing directors will probably have to leave.
After ongoing tensions in the club’s management, TSG Hoffenheim has apparently drawn conclusions: the chairman of the management board, Markus Schütz, and the finance director, Frank Briel, were said to have been released on Monday with immediate effect. This is reported by the “Bild” newspaper, according to the “Kicker” magazine, so far Schütz and Briel are only on the verge of elimination.
According to information from “Bild”, both have already vacated their offices. Sports managing director Andreas Schicker and marketing managing director Tim Jost are to take over management on an interim basis.
The decisive factor for the alleged separation was apparently the escalations surrounding the player agent Roger Wittmann. The TSG management had already publicly distanced itself from the long-time confidante of club patron Dietmar Hopp in the spring. Later, Wittmann was also banned from the premises and stadium – a decision that ultimately resulted in legal proceedings before the Heidelberg regional court.
While the stadium ban was lifted, the house ban remained in place. The management defended their actions, saying Wittmann was a burden for the club.
During the course of the trial, audio recordings were made public in which Wittmann is said to have insulted and threatened Hoffenheim officials with vulgar expressions – allegations that the 65-year-old initially rejected. Ironically, sports director Schicker, whom Wittmann himself had brought to Hoffenheim, played a key role: he came forward with incriminating material against his sponsor.
The latest escalation may have been triggered by the TSG’s announcement that it would appeal the regional court’s ruling. Apparently this was the final trigger for Hopp to turn against Schütz and Briel. He had previously described the management’s dealings with Wittmann as a “big mess”.
According to a report by “Bild”, an external law firm was also commissioned to examine possible misconduct within the management. They are said to have secured legal assistance and tried to restrict access to sensitive data. It was also signaled from the management circle that Hopp no longer had any influence – an affront to the man who significantly financed the club.