Jörg Albrecht Resigns as TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Chairman Amid Health Concerns

Jörg Albrecht, the chairman, president, and co-owner of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, has resigned from all his positions effective immediately. The former mayor of Sinsheim has been experiencing health issues for an extended period, having been diagnosed with long-term ALS. Although the gradual progression of his condition allowed him to fulfill his administrative roles longer than anticipated, he ultimately made the decision to step down.

In a statement released from his vacation home in Spain, Albrecht cited his health as the primary reason for his resignation. He also mentioned the “immense stress” resulting from recent significant personnel changes within the Bundesliga club’s front office as a contributing factor.

Albrecht assumed the role of club president in September 2024, ten months after Hoffenheim was officially restored to the 50+1 status by the DFL in November 2023.

“I regret that I must relinquish the position I accepted and served with great passion and commitment,” Albrecht stated. “However, in recent weeks, I have reached my health limits, primarily due to the immense stress. Thus, this decision is both logical and necessary, despite being exceedingly difficult for me.”

In the wake of Albrecht’s departure, board members Christoph Henssler and Frank Engelhardt will temporarily assume his responsibilities. Hoffenheim is expected to convene a special session in the coming weeks to elect new leadership, as the club continues to face instability despite high pre-season expectations for its sporting prospects.

It is important to clarify that Albrecht’s health issues are unrelated to the existing power struggles within the club, particularly concerning controversial figures like Dietmar Hopp and Roger Wittmann. While there is substantial evidence that club officials Frank Briel and Dr. Markus Schütz were dismissed due to their opposition to Hopp regarding Wittmann, insinuations surrounding Albrecht’s resignation being coerced are unfounded.

Reports confirm that Albrecht was verbally attacked by Wittmann during a recent meeting, which likely contributed to the stress he referenced. Furthermore, despite not being pressured by Hopp to resign, the departure of another member of the anti-Wittmann faction raises concerns about the ongoing dynamics at the club.

One of the interim board members, Henssler, has ties to the TSG ultra community, though his current connection remains uncertain. Anticipation is building around the upcoming leadership elections, where members opposing Wittmann will have the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Wittmann has indicated through his attorneys that he intends to pursue legal action related to protests that occurred during a Bundesliga match last Saturday, notably involving Hoffenheim supporters displaying his image in a threatening manner.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim’s sporting director, Schicker, is reportedly being courted by RB Salzburg, yet the club is relying on him to play a more substantial role in its affairs. The interim board has specifically emphasized their dependence on Schicker in their introductory statement, making his next steps particularly interesting given the pressures he faces.

As the situation unfolds, Schicker’s perspective on this newfound responsibility may dictate the club’s future direction, especially as he was among those required to testify against Wittmann in recent legal proceedings.

In light of these developments, head coach Ilzer remains focused on his team’s performance, maintaining that changes in club management should not distract them from their objective. “We’re a ship on the high seas,” Ilzer remarked. “If the shipping company changes, that’s not our concern. Our job is to keep the ship afloat.”