Media reports: DFL is apparently considering replacing boss Hopfen early

Enlarge image

DFL boss Donata Hopfen

Photo: Marco Steinbrenner / dpa

According to a "kicker" report, Donata Hopfen could be replaced as head of the German Football League (DFL) before Christmas.

The cooperation with the 46-year-old has been discussed for a few weeks in the DFL executive committee and the six-member DFL supervisory board chaired by Hans-Joachim Watzke, the managing director of Borussia Dortmund.

According to the "kicker" report, hops lost the trust of the supervisory board.

The »Süddeutsche Zeitung« also reports, citing its own sources, that the DFL is very dissatisfied with hops.

The DFL boss is said not to have convinced her critics on important issues such as the 50+1 rule or digitization and internationalization, according to the “kicker”.

The 50+1 rule only applies to German professional football and is intended to ensure that the registered parent club retains decision-making power even if it has spun off its professional football department into a corporation.

It limits the influence of external investors.

Bobic keeps a low profile

The DFL supervisory board is meeting this week.

“We always have meetings.

That's part of it.

I don't have to make a lot of fuss now.

There will be a meeting soon.

Then we'll see," said Hertha manager Fredi Bobic, who is also a member of the DFL supervisory board, on MagentaTV on Sunday.

Bobic also said about a possible separation from hops: "I can't confirm that at the moment." Bobic added: "What should I deny if it's not the case."

In addition to Watzke and Bobic, Oliver Leki, the CFO of SC Freiburg, Rüdiger Frisch, the president of second division leaders Darmstadt 98, Gladbach managing director Stephan Schippers and Paderborn's financial managing director Ralf Huschen also belong to the DFL supervisory board.

Donata Hopfen has been DFL boss since January 1, 2022 and successor to Christian Seifert, who controlled the league from 2005 to 2021.

Hopfen has a contract until the end of 2024. She is also Vice President of the German Football Association (DFB).

Bobic said about the alleged dissatisfaction with hops.

»These are topics that I cannot discuss publicly.

I'm not allowed to discuss that in public either."

cev