The Swiss Tatjana Haenni will take over as managing director of the Bundesliga soccer club in the new year RB Leipzig. The 59-year-old will be in charge of management from January 1st, the club announced. This makes Haenni the first woman to lead a club in German professional football. “I can hardly wait to start in January and get to know the club even better and more intensively,” said Haenni. She is convinced “that we can still exploit a lot of potential with strong teamwork and a focus on RB Leipzig’s strengths,” said Haenni.
The position had been vacant since November 2022 following the departure of Oliver Mintzlaff. Haenni impressed in the discussions with her expertise and with the combination of specialist knowledge, leadership and strategic thinking, said Mintzlaff, who now works as chairman of the supervisory board at RB. “We hope this will provide us with new input and fresh impulses so that we are prepared for the future and can continue to meet the increasing demands,” it continued. Haenni will head the management team with Johann Plenge in business, Florian Hopp in administration and Marcel Schäfer in sports.
Haenni was once a player in the Swiss national team and worked as a coach
Haenni played 23 international matches for the Swiss national team. Later she also worked as a trainer. After her active career, she worked for UEFA and FIFA, among others. Haenni also helped organize the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany. In the past, she was the first woman in management at the Swiss Football Association. Most recently, she served as Chief Sporting Director for the US women’s professional league NWSL since 2023.
RB Leipzig is currently in second place in the table under new coach Ole Werner. The club is currently eight points separate from league leaders and German record champions Bayern Munich.
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