Million transfer fee for 96
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Hannover 96 has made the expected change in management. Marcus Mann moves to Austria to join Red Bull Salzburg and brings the second division club a seven-figure sum. In return, Jörg Schmadtke, who worked very successfully for Lower Saxony from 2009 to 2013, will take over. The 61-year-old starts on January 1st and has been ordered until February 28th, 2029.
Mann, who has been working for the Hanoverians since summer 2021, had expressed his desire to make the move to Salzburg in recent weeks. His contract, which did not contain an exit clause, ran until 2029, which is why a transfer fee is due. According to consistent media reports, this amounts to around 2 million euros.
“Saying goodbye to Hannover 96 is very difficult for me,” explained Mann. “Over the four and a half years I have always been involved with great passion and have taken the club, the city and the people very close to my heart. Accordingly, it was not an easy decision to take on a new challenge. I would like to thank everyone who has accompanied me on my path from the bottom of my heart. The players and coaches, the employees, the shareholders, the sponsors and of course the fans. I will always look back on 96 with fond memories and wish the club the greatest possible success in the near and distant future.”
Martin Kind, who had recently confirmed the negotiations between Salzburg and Hannover, said: “Marcus Mann came to Hannover 96 as a young manager. He accepted the responsibility and successfully developed both his area and personally during his time here. We wish him all the best for the future, both professionally and personally.”
Hannover 96 appoints Schmadtke as Mann’s successor
In recent days, Schmadtke, who shaped Hannover into a Europa League team 15 years ago, has emerged as the favorite to replace Mann. The 61-year-old has been out of action since February 2024 after his advisory role at Liverpool FC ended. He was previously sports director at VfL Wolfsburg and 1. FC Köln.
Kind said: “I am very happy that in Jörg Schmadtke we were able to gain a specialist with great experience to shape the sporting future of Hannover 96. He stands for structured approach, decision-making power and, as a result, successful work. The contact with him continued even after his first time here. He knows the club and the environment and will be able to quickly familiarize himself with all relevant topics.”
Schmadtke himself added: “I’m very happy to be back and to take up my role at Hannover 96. Now it’s about getting to work quickly. First of all, I would like to quickly get a comprehensive picture and will have a lot of discussions to get to know the internal processes, structures and perspectives.”