A few hours after the end of Oliver Bierhoff at the German Football Association (DFB), which was announced on Monday evening (December 5th, 2022), discussions about his successor are picking up speed. According to information from the sports show, Matthias Sammer is a favorite and is now probably ready to join the association to return.
Several media had also reported that Sammer was one of several candidates. Just like Fredi Bobic from Hertha BSC. Sammer is said to have initially hesitated to take up the vacant job – especially in view of the EM 2024 and the bad mood around the national team.
As the sports show learned, he is now ready. The topic should come up at the DFB in this groundbreaking week for German football, which will probably also involve replacing DFL boss Donata Hopfen.
Already worked as sports director for the DFB from 2006 to 2012
It is not known whether Sammer will take over the vacant position as managing director of DFB GmbH, responsible for the academy and national teams, or whether he will be hired as sports director.
Sammer worked as sports director for the DFB from 2006 to 2012 before surprisingly moving to FC Bayern Munich as sports director and being involved in several title wins there. After Sammer, who is now 55 years old, suffered a slight stroke, the parties dissolved the contract.
Consultant at Borussia Dortmund since 2018
The former national player of the GDR and Federal Republic, who played a decisive part in winning the European Championship in 1996, withdrew from the public a little afterwards. In the spring of 2018, Borussia Dortmund announced that Sammer would henceforth work as an external consultant for the Bundesliga club.
Previously, Sammer and Dortmund’s managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke, who had previously avoided each other, had reunited. Sammer, who won the Champions League as a player with Borussia in 1997, was still at the side of former BVB managing director Gerd Niebaum when his mismanagement almost brought the club to ruin in 2005. Watzke was then Niebaum’s opponent and then his successor.
When negotiations were held on Monday (December 5th, 2022) about the termination of Oliver Bierhoff’s contract, Watzke was there as the most powerful representative from the German Football League (DFL). According to information from the sports show, he is said to have made a significant contribution to Bierhoff’s time at the DFB ending after 18 years.