Jörg Schmadtke new managing director at Hannover 96

The change will take place on January 1, 2026. According to the press release, Schmadtke’s term of office runs until February 28, 2029. The former goalkeeper was responsible as a sporting decision-maker at Hannover from May 2009 to April 2013, initially as sports director and from March 2011 as managing director. Among other things, he was responsible for putting together the 96-team squad that finished the 2010/11 Bundesliga season in fourth place and qualified for the Europa League.

Schmadtke most recently worked as sports director of the top English club FC Liverpool until February 2024. Before that, he worked as managing director for 1. FC Köln and VfL Wolfsburg. The former professional began his managerial career at Alemannia Aachen.

That’s what Schmadtke initially plans to do

“Now it’s about getting to work quickly,” Schmadtke is quoted as saying in a club press release: “First of all, I would like to quickly get a comprehensive picture and will have a lot of discussions to get to know the internal processes, structures and perspectives.”

Martin Kind, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hannover 96 GmbH & Co. KGaA, was highly satisfied with the personnel selection. “I am very happy that in Jörg Schmadtke we were able to gain a specialist with great experience to shape the sporting future of Hannover 96,” said Kind. Schmadtke stands for “structured approach, decision-making power and, as a result, successful work”. He also knows the club and the surrounding area and will be able to “familiarize himself with all relevant topics quickly.”

Man says goodbye with warm words

Mann is leaving the Hanoverians after four and a half years and moving to Europa League participant Salzburg, where he will be responsible for the sporting area and will succeed Rouven Schröder, who moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach. The clubs have agreed not to disclose the transfer terms. Mann still had a contract in Hanover until the summer of 2029.

“It is very difficult for me to say goodbye to Hannover 96. I have always been there with great passion over the four and a half years and have taken the club, the city and the people very close to my heart,” said the 41-year-old: “I will always look back on 96 with fond memories and wish the club the greatest possible success in the near and distant future.”