Jörg Schmadtke back at Hannover 96: A new beginning in sport!

Jörg Schmadtke back at Hannover 96: A new beginning in sport!

It's finally official: Jörg Schmadtke is returning to Hannover 96 as Sports Director! The good news was announced on Christmas Eve, December 27, 2025. From January 1, 2026, the experienced football manager will take responsibility for the licensed team and the 96 Academy. Schmadtke succeeds Marcus Mann, who is moving to Red Bull Salzburg after four and a half years at the club.

With his return, Schmadtke brings with him a wealth of experience that he has gained in over a decade in professional football. From May 2009 to April 2013 he worked at Hannover 96, where he steered the club's fortunes first as sports director and from March 2011 as managing director. During this time, the club enjoyed notable success as the team reached fourth place in the 2010/11 Bundesliga season, thereby qualifying for the Europa League. Schmadtke now wants to restore this momentum, as the [Giessener Allgemeine](https://www.giessener- Allgemeine.de/sport/fussball/neuer-geschaeftsfuehrer-bei-hannover-96-joerg-schmadtke-zr-94098176.html) reports.

A look into the past

Schmadtke's career in football management began at Alemannia Aachen before he subsequently took up management positions at clubs such as 1. FC Köln and VfL Wolfsburg. Most recently, he was sporting director at Liverpool FC until February 2024, where he once again demonstrated his instinct for talented players and successful squad planning. Now he wants to quickly get a comprehensive picture of the internal processes and structures at Hannover 96 in order to regain a competitive advantage.

Martin Kind, the chairman of the supervisory board of Hannover 96, expressed his delight at Schmadtke's return and the prospects that could arise from it. Marcus Mann, who is leaving the club, also looks back with many positive memories and wishes the club all the best for the future. Mann originally had a contract until the summer of 2029, but the opportunity at Red Bull Salzburg was apparently irresistible for him.

The challenges of the role

The role of the sports director is of central importance in modern football. As a link between the club, coaching team, players and the league, Schmadtke is required to shape the strategic direction in the sporting area. It's not just about squad planning and transfer activities, but also about implementing an overarching game philosophy. According to the DFB Academy, empathy and communication skills are just as important as the necessary specialist knowledge.

Schmadtke knows that a good hand is required here. And with the support of the entire team, there is great hope that Hannover 96 will soon be able to play in the upper regions of the Bundesliga again. Fans can be curious to see how the situation will develop in the coming months.