Courted Hanover sports director
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When looking for a new sports manager, VfL Wolfsburg also contacted Marcus Mann from Hannover 96. However, with manageable success, because the Lower Saxony team does not want to let their sports director go. Stand now. Supervisory board member Martin Kind revealed this to “Bild”. The 81-year-old said he was informed of Wolfsburg’s interest in Mann on Wednesday.
“This morning Mr. Mann told me that Wolfsburg wanted to sign him. But no one from VfL Wolfsburg has contacted me yet,” explained Kind. Since sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz was placed on leave on November 13th, the Wolves have been looking for a new manager. According to reports, 96 sports director Mann is on the VW club’s shortlist, but there have been no discussions so far. There should be contact through intermediaries to inquire about the 41-year-old’s willingness. Mann has a contract with the second division club from Hanover until 2029 without an exit clause.
In Kind’s opinion, nothing should change. “We don’t need to negotiate at the moment,” said the club boss. “I think everyone agrees on Marcus Mann. That’s why negotiations make no sense.” And: “We want to keep Mr. Mann.” However, Kind could well understand the rumored interest from Wolfsburg: “When I brought Markus Mann to Hannover 96, nobody knew his name. Now he has made a name for himself through very good and serious work. It doesn’t surprise me that he has now received the attention of other clubs.”
96 coach Christian Titz did not want to take part in the “speculation” surrounding Mann. “It hasn’t caused any unrest for us,” said the 54-year-old before his team’s game against Karlsruher SC (Fri., 6:30 p.m.). Titz emphasized his “very good, trusting cooperation” with Mann, who recently told “Bild” about the Wolfsburg advances: “There were no discussions.” It is possible that Mann, who has been working in Hanover since 2021, is not even being considered as Schindzielorz’s successor, but rather as a replacement for managing director Peter Christiansen, who has also been criticized.