Simon Zoller has been part of VfL Bochum’s sporting management team for some time now. He offers insight into his role.

For just under three months, he has been part of VfL Bochum’s sporting management team—a role he took on not long after retiring as a player for the club. Simon Zoller spent more than four years at Castroper Straße until 2023. After retiring from his playing career this summer at FC St. Pauli, he returned. The 34-year-old now serves as Director of Performance and is jointly responsible for squad planning, among other duties.

He is currently in Belek, Turkey, with VfL, where the Bochum squad is preparing for the second half of the second-division season. “It’s not much different at training camp than it was before as a player, except that I don’t have to train,” he says jokingly in a major WAZ interview about his new role.

Zoller explains: “Sure, I feel the responsibility I carry, but I also chose this role quite deliberately. As a player, and especially during my time in Bochum, I was the kind of guy who liked to take on responsibility. I was able to learn a lot back then, including about processes off the field. That’s why it wasn’t difficult for me to make the transition.” He works hand in hand with head coach Uwe Rösler. “The collaboration with Uwe is very good; he involves me 100 percent.”

An important part of Zoller’s responsibilities: squad planning. VfL has announced two signings (Callum Marshall, Mikkel Rakneberg) so far this winter, plus the loan departure of Colin Kleine-Bekel. Ibrahima Sissoko may also leave the club this winter. “We have never engaged in speculation and—as we always have—will not comment on possible rumors. The fact is: Ibrahima has a current contract. But it’s also a fact that we’re always open to discussion when a player expresses a desire to transfer, as has happened in this case. Ultimately, though, it has to work out for all parties,” says Zoller regarding the midfielder, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations and has been courted by clubs in France.

In an interview with the WAZ, Zoller also discusses expectations for the new signings, rumors linking Cajetan Lenz to Frankfurt, a possible permanent signing of trialist Marcel Sobottka, expiring contracts, and the future of VfL Bochum’s loan players.