German football should speak with one voice
For German football in the next few years it will be the divisive machinations of FIFA and UEFA It is actually essential that the DFB and DFL pull together. The “Project Future” launched after the 2018 World Cup, with its important reforms for the youth sector, is stalling. The base doesn’t want the changes. There are also problems on other levels. And then there is still the basic agreement that regulates the flow of money between the two institutions and has to be renegotiated.
Seifert advised to orientate yourself first: “I think it would be good to put the relationship back on the exercise of the basic contract. Because that’s what ultimately matters. What does the league need from the DFB? The youth work has to be right. The referee system has to work and the DFB Cup. In return, the DFB can market the national players. ” Those are the basic disciplines.
Donata Hopfen is still holding back in public
But all of this is no longer in his area of responsibility, but in the hands of his successor Donata Hopfen. The Hamburg media manager has long been the Seifert heiress. However, she keeps completely back from the public eye, and there has not yet been a round of introductions with the 44-year-old, who – so we can hear – meticulously prepared her first days at work. So it is currently being carefully weighed up which Bundesliga games she will attend first at the start of the second half.
Your advantage: She has not fought a feud with the DFB officials, so she is approaching this construction site without any burden. Seifert trusts her to do that without restrictions (“a well-connected, extremely committed manager”), but also says that a new relationship of trust can only be established “if the DFB actually realigns personnel. And not only in the foreground, but also in the background.”
Bernd Neuendorf wants more diversity
In his first big interview on Monday (December 20th, 2021), Neuendorf provided some indications that he was at least the DFB “to more diversity” wants to bring. The presidium is to be supplemented by a vice-president who takes care of diversity and equality. In addition, a structural commission should ensure that the perspective is broadened. His advantage: from his work as State Secretary for Family, Children, Youth, Culture and Sport in North Rhine-Westphalia, the former SPD politician looked at different perspectives – and also learned to come to terms with compromises on complex issues.
Just like Donata Hopfen, Bernd Neuendorf would basically be a career changer who could initiate a fresh start between the DFB and DFL – provided the two new bosses get to know each other personally as soon as possible. One thing is certain for Seifert with a view to the great upheaval at the DFB and DFL: “It can only go up or at least not get worse.”
As of: December 26th, 2021, 12:22 pm