Bochum close to securing Jörg Schmadtke’s administrative services
After weeks of speculation, Sport Bild claims negotiations to install seasoned German footballing administrator Jörg Schmadtke as a VfL Bochum boss are nearing their conclusion. Schmadtke’s return to the Bundesliga could be confirmed as early as next week. The 61-year-old returns to German football for the first time since vacating his VfL Wolfsburg sporting CEO position in January 2023.
Schmadtke’s departure from Wolfsburg was supposed to serve as his retirement. Few nevertheless believed that Schmadtke would be able to keep himself away from football for long. Schmadtke himself joked in his exit interview with Kicker that his wife wouldn’t be able to stand having him around for very long. It thus came as no surprise to see him sign with Liverpool within five months.
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Schmadtke constitutes an excellent fit for Bochum. He once worked directly with current head coach Dieter Hecking during his working as a sporting/managing director both at Hannover 96 and Alemannia Aachen. Hecking’s ability to breathe new life into the Bochum squad leaves the Revierklub eager to keep him on next year irrespective of whether VfL are relegated or not.
Prior to Hecking’s arrival earlier this year, Bochum dismissed two sporting directors (Patrick Fabian and Marc Lettau) within the space of five months. Ilja Kaenzig currently serves as the club’s chief administrative officer. Sport Bild claims that Schmadtke will receive a board role while a younger sporting director and squad planner will also be hired.
Additionally, captain Anthony Losilla (39) and veteran Cristian Gamboa (35) are to remain with the club after their careers end in the summer, but will take on different roles. The German tabloid reports that all the new administrative reshuffling should be completed by mid April.
