“He is the most important man”
Ulli Potofski had emotional reunion with Esther Sedlaczek
Updated on 08/06/2025 – 12:50 p.m.Reading time: 3 min.
Ulli Potofski was not only appreciated in the football scene as a specialist, but also as a person. This also showed an emotional encounter with Esther Sedlaczek.
Reporter veteran Ulli Potofski has died at the age of 73. For decades, he reported for the RTL and Sky broadcasting events of all kinds.
Potofski was extremely popular among fans and colleagues and not only popular for his professional expertise, but also for his personality. This was also shown by a surprise appearance Potofski on the program “Studio Schmitt” a little more than two years ago. There he surprised moderation colleague Esther Sedlaczek with a visit.
The joy of Potofski’s visit was clearly noticeable. After the announcement by moderator Tommi Schmitt, she turned suddenly and called: “No, is he here? No, does he get out of it now?” With a loud “Ulli!” She stormed the man who was currently entering the studio, and after two long and intimate hugs: “Oh god, that’s nice. Madness, so I really have tears in my eyes now.” Potofski also reacted emotionally and said: “I also have a little tear.”
Sedlaczek explained the emotional reunion as follows: “This is actually the most important man in my career, who gave me such a good basis.” The background: When Sedlaczek started her career on the pay TV station Sky, she moderated one of her first formats alongside Potofski.
video | Sports journalist “Ulli” Potofski is dead
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“I was thrown into the cold water at the time,” she recalled. “It took a while before I found in there. I also knew about this challenge, but I always had it by my side and he always gave myself good tips,” said Sedlaczek. His most important note: remain authentic.
Potofski’s tips were apparently worth gold. Since then, Sedlaczek has had a steep career, is currently moderating the “Sportschau” for the ARD and reported in the duo with expert Bastian Schweinsteiger from the World Cup in Qatar. There, above all, she received a lot of praise for a critically conducted interview with the then DFB director Oliver Bierhoff after leaving the German national team in the preliminary round.
Potofski was also one of the admirers of his ex-colleague. “I always say that I am your television dad and I’m really proud. I use the word very, very rarely, but I am on her,” he said at “Studio Schmitt”. Despite the close connection, the two had not seen each other for years, only on the phone. “Really nice,” commented Potofski again on the ZDF program.