Just a year after taking office, DFL Managing Director Donata Hopfen is about to be replaced, according to a report by “Kicker”. The dissatisfaction with their work is said to be great.
As the “Kicker” reports, the decision to terminate the contract with hops prematurely could be made at a supervisory board meeting of the German Football League (DFL) chaired by Hans-Joachim Watzke this week. Hopfen took over the position of CEO and spokeswoman for the Executive Committee on January 1, 2022, and her contract runs until December 31, 2024.
Hopfen’s predecessor was Christian Seifert, who had led the DFL since 2005. At the end of his time at the DFL, he was publicly perceived primarily as a successful crisis manager in the pandemic with its ghost games.
Supervisory Board member Bobic: “I can’t confirm that at the moment”
Fredi Bobic, member of the supervisory board, commented on “Magenta TV” on Sunday. “We always have meetings. That’s part of it. I don’t have to worry too much now. There will be a meeting soon. Then we’ll see.”, said the manager of Hertha BSC. Bobic also said about a possible separation from hops: “I can’t confirm that at the moment. What should I deny if it’s not the case.”
| person | club |
|---|---|
Hans Joachim Watzke | Borussia Dortmund |
Oliver Leki | Sc freiburg |
Fredi Bobic | Hertha BSC |
Rudiger Fritsch | Darmstadt 98 |
Stephen Schipper | Bor. M’gladbach |
Ralph Huschen | SC Paderborn |
Discussions about Saudi Arabia, problems with foreign marketing
Hopfen attracted public discussion when she hinted at moving the DFL Supercup to Saudi Arabia, which she only later retracted. She was also accused of making statements about digitization and innovation – which she made at a trade fair. It was about tests for interviews during the game with the rope camera. Most recently, Hopfen campaigned for the sale of DFL shares to external investors.
When it comes to important issues such as the future of the 50+1 rule, the design of the game plan and the increase in income from foreign rights, which has been significantly lower at the DFL for years than in the other top leagues, according to “Kicker” it created dissatisfaction among the leading players heads of the league. According to information from the sports show, there have been considerations for some time to replace hops. The search for a successor is said to have started weeks ago.