The streaming service Dazn did not say how many viewers saw the game between VfL Wolfsburg and TSG Hoffenheim (2:3) live on Sunday evening. The presumably manageable number of viewers would probably not be flattering for anyone involved, neither for the clubs nor for the broadcaster’s marketing. But at least in Zuzenhausen and other metropolises in the Kraichgau, the viewing figures are likely to have been right, because the TSG based here is currently delighting its audience like they haven’t for a long time, at least in terms of sport, they are in sixth place in the Bundesliga table. The club and its organization, on the other hand, present a dubious and opaque image. But it would at least be suitable as a soap opera on television.
Late on Monday evening, media reports circulated about the dismissal of financial director Frank Briel, 50, and chairman of the board Markus Schütz, 60. With a short interruption, Briel has been part of the club’s operations since 2006, which was still playing in the regional league at the time. The lawyer Schütz has supported the club’s patron and founding founder Dietmar Hopp until recently. However, the familiar relationship has now turned into an abusive relationship.
:Once again there is noise in the Kraichgau
In the middle of the transfer summer, TSG Hoffenheim fired sports director Alexander Rosen and academy boss Frank Kramer took over for him. The timing is surprising – even though conflicts have been simmering for a long time.
This became public most recently before the trial at the Heidelberg regional court, in which the TSG managing directors faced player agent Roger Wittmann, who had been extremely active in Hoffenheim for years, as a defendant. Wittmann initiated the proceedings after the TSG managers banned him from the premises, among other things because they accused him of coercion and insults. The latter has been confirmed beyond doubt in court. The fact that Wittmann called sports director Frank Kramer a “monkey” was still one of the harmless incidents. A case of threats against Schütz by Wittmann, who was known for his robust methods, was also discussed.
But the 85-year-old club partner Hopp did not side with the TSG officials. Instead, he continues to support Wittmann, whom he counts as one of his friends. As can be heard from the club, the conflict also resulted in the latest explosion at TSG. Last week, the club, represented by managing directors Briel and Schütz, ensured through legal intervention that it was allowed to appeal against the ruling of the Heidelberg regional court – which allowed Wittmann access to his stadium box again. Hopp apparently took this as an affront.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no official information about whether Briel and Schütz would lose their jobs. “The topic is in the room,” it was said from the house. That morning, TSG called a staff meeting for 9 a.m., but then canceled it. The discussions were ongoing, it was reported. Things aren’t much more mysterious behind the high walls of the Kremlin than behind the walls of the TSG office in Zuzenhausen.
According to experts, it cannot be ruled out that the dismissal of Briel and Schütz could cause collateral damage to the company’s management. The number three managing director at TSG, sports director Andreas Schicker, has little interest in working in a club that develops even greater mastery in scheming games than in football. Schicker, 39, who comes from Styria and was recommended for a move to the Bundesliga through success with Sturm Graz, already has an escape route open: Red Bull Salzburg would like to use him to fill the vacancy left by Rouven Schröder when he recently moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach instead of fulfilling his long-term contract in Salzburg.
Under Schicker’s supervision, the squad was rejuvenated and strengthened – without making a loss like in the previous year
Hoffenheim have recently won three times in a row in the Bundesliga; the 3-2 win in Wolfsburg not only demonstrated the team’s good form, but also their successful restructuring under Schicker’s supervision. He completely changed, rejuvenated and strengthened the squad, and instead of causing a loss of more than 40 million, as had happened in the chaotic transfer summer of the previous year, this time there was a plus amount after accounting for income and expenses.
TSG was able to afford to let Marius Bülter, 32, go to 1. FC Köln for a small fee and loan out center forward Haris Tabakovic, 31, to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Both are more than just valued in their new teams – they are key reinforcements. But if they were still at TSG, they might have had to watch the game on Sunday from their home television on Dazn, because a place in the squad would by no means be taken for granted. Offensively, not many clubs in the league are as variable as Hoffenheim. Players with perspective like Fisnik Asllani, Tim Lemperle, Max Moerstedt and Bazoumana Touré are supported by experienced attackers Andrej Kramaric, Ilhas Bebou and Adam Hlozek. Only Bayern and RB Leipzig have scored more times in the league than Hoffenheim.
It’s logical that Schicker’s work would also be noticed by other clubs, Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer said a few days ago when he was asked about the TSG manager’s meeting with Red Bull football bosses Jürgen Klopp and Mario Gomez. According to experts, Schicker would rather work in the German Bundesliga rather than the Austrian Bundesliga. But an entry in Salzburg would be an entry into the Red Bull football world and therefore a potential springboard to the 1-a branch in Leipzig. Fittingly, RB Leipzig will be visiting Hoffenheim next Saturday.