German Football Association: Steffen Simon from ARD becomes DFB Director "Public and Fans"

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Stephen Simon

Photo: imago sport photo service / IMAGO / Sven Simon

His task was, among other things, to critically accompany the international matches of the German national team as a commentator for the ARD.

Now Steffen Simon is changing sides: the long-standing journalist will be the new director of the “Public and Fans” department of the German Football Association (DFB).

The association announced this in a press release.

The contract is scheduled to begin on May 1st.

The DFB is thus closing the gap that arose after Mirjam Berle left in June 2021.

»Football is of great social importance in Germany.

I look forward to getting involved with the DFB in the future," the 57-year-old Simon is quoted as saying in the DFB announcement.

In the future, Simon will be responsible for the area »Corporate Communications« at the association.

He is said to be driving "the strategic development and positioning of the association and its subsidiaries in public perception, which is relevant from the point of view of image building".

He was in action at eight world and European championships

Deputy DFB General Secretary Heike Ullrich praised him as one of the “best-known figures in German sports journalism.

He is an expert, there is no doubt about his competence«.

Simon »can convince, he can inspire, he knows his trade«.

Simon held a managerial position at WDR for 19 years.

Among other things, he was deployed as an international match commentator for ARD, where he accompanied the German team at eight world and European championships.

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