TSG Hoffenheim is reorganizing. A former FC Schalke 04 coach can look forward to a personal promotion at the Kraichgau club.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has found a new sporting director in Andreas Schicker. He will take over from Alexander Rosen, who has been released from his duties. There was considerable controversy surrounding Rosen’s dismissal, as Forecasting reported.
Together with Dr. Markus Schütz (chairman) and Frank Briel, who is returning to TSG Hoffenheim as managing director of finance, the 38-year-old Austrian Schicker will form the management team of the Bundesliga club.
“Andreas Schicker was our first choice. He stands for exceptional quality of work and therefore for success. The talks with him were characterized by a high level of professionalism and trust. Throughout the negotiations, he always gave us the impression that he was determined to join TSG,” said Jörg Albrecht, 1st Chairman of the e.V. and majority shareholder of the Fußball-GmbH. ”The entire management team is excellently positioned in the new constellation and will lead TSG into a positive future.”
Dietmar Hopp, shareholder of TSG, adds: “Andreas Schicker stands for a clear playing philosophy and has earned an excellent reputation in the industry in recent years thanks to his skillful transfers of young talent. We are delighted to have him on board at TSG Hoffenheim.”
Schicker joins Kraichgau from Austrian champions Sturm Graz. In Styria, he worked his way up from chief scout and video analyst to sporting director within a few years. Since taking office in May 2020, Sturm Graz has developed into the second force in Austria alongside serial champions RB Salzburg, finishing second in the championship in 2022 and 2023 and also winning the ÖFB Cup in 2023.
Last season, Sturm Graz achieved a major national triumph by winning the double, the championship and the cup, and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
“The German Bundesliga has always been a goal I have worked towards. I have never made a secret of that. So it’s all the more wonderful that my move to TSG has worked out. Hoffenheim is an exciting club with tremendous potential and a youth program that has been outstanding for years. I can absolutely identify with TSG’s unique approach, which includes a strong focus on promoting players from the youth ranks to the professional team. I am now very much looking forward to getting to know the team, the coaching staff, the other staff members, and everyone else at the club,” said Schicker, commenting on his decision to join TSG.
Schicker will be supported in his new role as sporting director by Frank Kramer, who will take over as director of sport and act as a link between the TSG academy and the Hoffenheim first team. The former Schalke coach was previously head of youth development.
“With the new management structure, we are focusing on the future and ensuring that TSG Hoffenheim can operate even more dynamically and innovatively with fresh impetus and proven expertise. This is an important building block for the success of our long-term strategy and strengthens TSG both on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Markus Schütz, CEO.