In search of a new director The DFB has found a new director. Hannes Wolf will take over this position in the future. The Bundesliga coach will be responsible for the areas of youth, training and development. Former national players Sandro Wagner and Hanno Balitsch will also be part of the capable squad. Wolf should also be entrusted with the responsibility of the women’s junior division. However, Wolf remains coach of the U20 national team.
DFB president Neuendorff said: “Hannes Wolf knows the structures of German football – both within associations and across clubs and professional leagues.” Wolf has proven in the past that he can “develop youth football in Germany strategically, but also practically and above all, with a high degree of practical relevance and a lot of dedication and passion”.
The DFB also announced in a broadcast that Wolf’s competent team should “offer specific training tips to foster innovative talent across Germany”. In addition to Wolf, Wagner and Balitsch, Lars and Sven Bender as well as Sandro Wagner, Hermann Gerland, Peter Hermann, Sabine Loderer, Lena Lötzen, Nikola Ludwig and Daniel Stredak are also on the committee.
Wolf emphasized after his appointment: “We want to work closely with all bodies involved in training to improve training on football fields in this country.” The former Bundesliga coach has been a youth coach at the DFB since 2020. As a professional, he coached VfB Stuttgart, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen and KRC Genk, among others.
After the World Cup defeat in Qatar, the DFB started making structural changes. Rudi Völler was introduced as sporting director until the home European Championship in 2024. After this the post will be filled again. In addition, a new director position for women’s football is to be created after the preliminary round of the World Cup in Australia.
Furthermore, following the termination of cooperation with Oliver Bierhoff, they are looking for reinforcements for the Managing Director game. Most recently, former world footballer Nadine Kessler was traded for the position.