News (engl.)

The German Football Association (DFB) and sporting director Nia Künzer have agreed an early extension of her contract until 2029. The decision was made unanimously by the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Assembly of the DFB GmbH & Co. KG on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old former international has been sporting director at the DFB since January 2024 and is responsible for the women’s national team, as well as the U19, U20 and newly introduced U23 women’s teams. With the addition of the U23 and U19 teams, her area of responsibility now covers the full transition phase leading up to the senior women’s national team. Furthermore, Künzer will take on a broader remit in the National Teams and Academy division, bringing together development, management and coordination efforts to strengthen elite women’s and girls’ football.

“A strong personality with enormous presence”

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: “Nia Künzer is a huge asset to the DFB. Since taking on her role, she has helped shape this highly prioritised area with a clear plan, footballing expertise, persistence, foresight and leadership. She has also maintained a critical, analytical view. Nia is a strong personality with enormous presence and visibility within the DFB. I’m therefore very pleased that we’ve been able to extend her contract long-term.”

Nia Künzer said: “I’m grateful for the trust placed in me, and I’m pleased that we’re continuing this journey together. Over the past year and a half, we’ve been able to push development across several areas within the women’s national teams and also introduce new ideas. I want to continue that work with my fantastic team and meet the high expectations we’ve set, particularly with the women’s national team as a key driver of wider development. With reaching the Final Four of the Nations League in both 2024 and 2025, as well as the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, we’ve already achieved early success. But we’ve set big goals and still have plenty on the agenda. I sense a strong shared conviction within the DFB to implement that agenda together. It was also important to me that clarity was established ahead of the EUROs in Switzerland, so we can go into the tournament fully focused on the football.”

“Contract extension is an important signal”

DFB managing director Andreas Rettig said: “Extending Nia’s contract early sends a clear signal of continuity in this area. In a short time, she’s made key decisions and launched major changes aimed at getting us back on the path to success. She challenges us every day – demanding but always constructive and committed to the bigger picture. That’s a perfect fit, and working with her is a real pleasure. I’m delighted that she’ll continue to bring her qualities to the DFB.”

Nia Künzer has been sporting director at the DFB since 1st January 2024, a position newly created by the association. As a player, she won the 2003 World Cup with the Germany national team, scoring the golden goal in the final against Sweden. She earned 34 senior international caps and, at club level, won the German championship and DFB-Pokal seven times each, along with three UEFA Cup titles. She also worked for many years as a women’s football pundit on ARD and as a department head for the regional government office in Gießen, Hesse.