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Robert Habeck sharply criticized the DFB’s supplier decision. Association boss Andreas Rettig fires back against the minister – and without restraint.
Munich – The supplier change from Adidas to Nike 2027 (the backgrounds) caused more of a stir than the DFB would have liked. There was strong headwind from politics, among others – from the highest level of government: Karl Lauterbach and Robert Habeck were not sparing with their criticism decision made primarily from economic perspectives.
| Born: | April 25, 1963 (age 60), Leverkusen |
| Stations as a football official: | SC Freiburg, 1. FC Cologne, FC Augsburg, FC St. Pauli, Viktoria Cologne, DFB |
| Taking office as DFB managing director: | 2023 |
Habeck and Lauterbach criticize the DFB – Rettig counters
While the Health Minister spoke of a “wrong decision” that “destroyed a piece of our homeland,” the Economics Minister followed up: “I can hardly imagine the German jersey without the three stripes. For me, Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together. I would have liked a bit more local patriotism.”
DFB managing director Andreas Rettig does not want to accept this criticism. The supplier decision is his first far-reaching official act at the DFB since taking office in September 2023.
“Knowledge-free”: DFB boss Rettig shoots against Habeck
“I was very surprised that politicians, without any knowledge and, above all, without the facts, would lean so far out of the populist window. I have to be honest, it’s a new quality,” he added ran back and became even clearer: “You have to say clearly: it might have been better to remain silent at one time or another.”
Rettig specifically targeted Habeck in his counterattack. “To make such a statement without knowing the general conditions and the process is quite surprising – that an economics minister would make such a statement.”
DFB boss Rettig: Offers from Adidas and Nike “not remotely comparable”
A report from Handelsblatt According to industry circles, Nike’s involvement with the DFB will cost more than 100 million euros per year. Adidas is said to have paid 50 million euros annually to the association so far. The offers were “not remotely comparable,” said Rettig without giving specific figures.
Rettig received support for the decision, which was largely unpopular even in fan circles, from his predecessor. Oliver Bierhoff wrote on LinkedIn: “The days of staying with a sponsoring partner out of patriotism are over. We simply can’t afford that anymore.”
Bierhoff also attacks politicians after criticism of Adidas’ departure
The ex-DFB boss is also confrontational: “By the way, politicians should stay out of the discussion. You don’t know the background and facts. Where is the local patriotism in German economic policy? “I would have liked it to contribute more to local patriotism,” wrote Bierhoff, literally furious.
“Instead, companies are leaving us because of high energy costs, high taxes and too much bureaucracy. I consider such politicians’ comments to be own goals.” (epp/dpa)