- Hoffenheim expresses apprehensions about potential harassment towards Hopp, stemming from the team's own supporters.
Fans of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim voiced their discontent for the first time during the summer break, which caused other football camps to mock, "Hoffenheim even has a fan base?" The unrest towards benefactor Dietmar Hopp and the club surfaced from within the club as it began its 17th Bundesliga season. The situation reportedly escalated ahead of the first home game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday, with club officials fearing that a group of 20 to 40 ultras might cause a match abandonment with hateful banners.
Two fan groups have declared a feud against their TSG, according to the club. The fans are expected to generate further uproar during the first home game due to their anger.
"We do not wish to suppress any opinion, but we do not want Dietmar Hopp to be harassed in his own stadium," the club announced. The primary aim is to bring the fans to the negotiating table, following their complete communication shutdown with the TSG. As a first step, Hoffenheim plans to remove certain sections in the Sinsheim stadium due to the possibility of inflammatory banners being created there.
Fans have frequently accused the player agency Rogon, particularly its co-founder Roger Wittmann, of having excessive influence within the club. Wittmann's close relationship with Hopp has been the focus of their criticism.
However, the matter of Wittmann's influence is now secondary. In July, TSG, under interim president Simone Engelhardt, who represents the majority shareholder, launched a substantial offensive. The club parted ways with Rosen - only newly appointed lawyer Markus Schütz maintained his position among the former board members. Pirmin Schwegler, who served as the head of professional football, also left the club's operational business.
Fans displayed banners with strong criticism towards the responsible individuals around the Sinsheim arena and the Zuzenhausen training center. One poster read, "125 years TSG - Built up and destroyed - Thank you for nothing!" Another poster personally targeted Hopp, saying, "We are the club. Hopp, leave us alone!"
The 84-year-old billionaire and SAP co-founder, Hopp, has yet to comment on the situation. His influence, even as a shareholder in the operating company, is still considered substantial. Hopp had previously relinquished his voting rights to the parent club. Since 2023, the club has officially been considered one of the 50+1 clubs, which gives the leadership more power. The rule essentially ensures that investors cannot hold a majority of the votes in the capital companies of clubs. Hoffenheim had enjoyed a special permit due to Hopp for many years.
Jörg Albrecht, the mayor of Sinsheim, is now running for the position of TSG president. After completing his term as mayor at the end of August, Albrecht will become chairman of the association "Anpfiff ins Leben," a project of Hopp's.
Football professionals usually overlook such turmoil in senior management. However, the departure of Rosen and Schwegler midway through the transfer period also poses challenges for the Europa League participant: Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo identifies "a few open construction sites" in the squad and admitted candidly, "This is certainly not an ideal preparation if you aim to start a triple burden." He hopes that interim manager Frank Kramer will reinforce the team after Rosen's departure midway through the transfer period and that stability will return to the club.
The club's attempt to remove certain sections in the Sinsheim stadium to prevent inflammatory banners is seen as an attempt to appease the discontenting fan groups. Despite the criticism towards Roger Wittmann and his influence, the focus has shifted to addressing the fans' grievances with Dietmar Hopp.
Amidst this turmoil, other clubs continue to question Hoffenheim's fan base, echoing the sentiment, "Even TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has a fan base?" pointing to the unrest within the club.
