Schicker sees “Kasperl Theater”
©IMAGO
Patron Dietmar Hopp reacted with great incomprehension to the quarrels at TSG Hoffenheim surrounding the possible dismissal of sports director Andreas Schicker. The 85-year-old said in an interview with the “Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung” that he “lacked any understanding” for these simulation games.
The Schicker, who came from Sturm Graz in October 2024, is primarily responsible for TSG’s place in the Champions League in the Bundesliga. “His outstanding work has created a top team that inspires me week after week and is perceived positively throughout football in Germany,” praised Hopp and asked: “How can we risk the success of our club?”
Under the leadership of the 39-year-old Austrian, the team “found its way back to the TSG DNA,” said Hopp. The team has become “younger, its football has become more attractive and more successful. This means that income, for example from TV contracts, will increase in the future, but of course in the short term there is the potential for high transfer revenues,” the TSG shareholder continued.
Update 5:45 p.m.: Schicker himself reacted with incomprehension to the internal power struggles at TSG. Things happened that “I can’t understand myself,” said the 39-year-old on “DAZN” before the top game in the Bundesliga at FC Bayern. “In Austria you would say: Kasperl Theater.” Schicker emphasized that he would like to stay. “Everyone will understand that because it also works and runs in sport.” He received encouragement from sponsors, employees and fans – as well as from Hopp. Schicker added that he was “100 percent” behind him. “He told me that several times.”
TSG Hoffenheim: Presidential election on March 9th – Ilzer is considering resignation
A power struggle over Hopp’s influence has been raging among the Kraichgauers for months. Last Wednesday, the club announced that it had mutually agreed to end the collaboration with marketing director Tim Jost.
Markus Schütz (Chairman of the Management Board) and Frank Briel (CEO Finance) had previously had to vacate their positions. In addition, President Jörg Albrecht resigned for health reasons. The interim club chairman Christoph Henssler, who comes from the ultra scene, is considered an opponent of Hopp. The new president will be elected at the general meeting on March 9th.
The situation in Kraichgau has been tense since reports this week about an internal power struggle that could potentially cost sports director Schicker his job. Afterwards, coach Christian Ilzer even spoke of a possible resignation if his long-time companion leaves the club.
