Clear messages from Union boss Dirk Zingler (59)!
The president of the Berlin Bundesliga club takes a position on the DFL’s investor plans in a club interview – and at the same time criticizes the fans.
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In mid-December, 24 DFL clubs agreed to bring an investor into the league. Union was against it, but now has to bow to the majority. Zingler explains: “We don’t think the deal is good because we are making a decision over a period of 20 years that we cannot yet foresee today.”
Nevertheless, Zingler makes it clear: “We at Union are fundamentally against investors in football, not for ideological reasons, because we have repeatedly invested with outside capital in all of its areas for 20 years. (…) 1. FC Union Berlin is a story of courageous investors over the last 20 years.”
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Not all Iron fans see it that way. And Zingler addresses them surprisingly directly, criticizing the nature of the protests in the curves: “The term ‘shitty DFL’ is once again unclear. The DFL employees did not decide this, nor did the managing directors. If it says ‘Shit DFL’, that’s the wrong addressee. 24 clubs decided that.”
Union President Dirk Zingler taunts Hertha BSC
At the same time, the Union boss is taking a dig at city rivals Hertha – where US investor 777 holds more than three quarters of the KGaA shares and maintains an entire network of clubs.
Zingler: “I am clearly against investors who are purely interested in returns, I am clearly against multi-ownerships. (…) We can make people an offer between 1. FC Union and a club that has a multi-club investor with 77 percent in their club. They can decide which path they want to take.”
However, one thing is clear: Zingler wants to continue to grow Union – that cannot be done without donors. The new training center, which cost 25 million euros, is about to open. Union has never spent so much money on a single infrastructure project.
After the renovation, the Alte Försterei will also offer space for even more fans than previously planned. Zingler reveals: “We are increasing all three tiers and the main stand by three to four rows compared to the previous plan. We want to open a stadium here in 2026/27 with a capacity of just over 40,000 spectators.” Originally around 37,000 visitors were planned.
The Union leader is trying to prepare the club for the future without taking any steps backwards – and still taking as many fans with him as possible. To this end, he continues to proclaim European competition as a goal – against external and internal doubters.
Zingler: “We are not saying goodbye to the desire to play internationally in the future. There are people who claim that it doesn’t suit us. I think it’s a great fit for us.”
2023-12-26 14:30:15
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