Marcus Mann's Successor Opens Up: "Return Was a Mistake"

After Marcus Mann's departure to FC Red Bull Salzburg, Hannover 96 was eager to quickly fill the vacant position.

The choice for the new managing director of sport fell on an old acquaintance, Jörg Schmadtke. The 62-year-old had previously held the sporting directorship between 2009 and 2013. However, after just over two months, the brief interlude was already over.

Schmadtke: "Wasn't my best move"

Ahead of the upcoming clash between Hannover 96 and VfL Wolfsburg, another of Schmadtke's former clubs, he critically reflected on his second tenure in Lower Saxony in an interview with "WAZ": "The return was a mistake." The move "wasn't my best move," concluded the 62-year-old.

He attributes the swift end to a lack of freedom: "I don't like it when I can't move freely." Reportedly, the chemistry between the managing director and the rest of the sporting leadership was also off from the start.

"kicker," for instance, reported that Schmadtke's communication caused internal confusion. In far-reaching decisions, he reportedly did not transparently involve sporting director Ralf Becker and head coach Christian Titz, the outlet further stated.

Public Dispute with Oliver Glasner

That Jörg Schmadtke appears to be a difficult character was also evident during his time in Wolfsburg. At that time, a dispute with Oliver Glasner was publicly played out.

The 62-year-old firmly rejected the theory that his ideas failed with 96 shareholder Martin Kind in the "WAZ" interview. "That worked very well before, during my first tenure," said Schmadtke, adding: "Because Mr. Kind is a man whose manner I highly value, whose word counts, who doesn't waffle, but is straightforward."

His successor, Jonas Boldt, has already been in office longer. He recently sealed a top transfer with the signing of Marcel Hartel.