The German Football Association (DFB) has hired long-standing WDR sports director Steffen Simon as the new director for the public and fans.
The 57-year-old journalist is scheduled to take up his new position on May 1 as the successor to Mirjam Berle, who left in June.
The DFB decided this during an extraordinary executive committee meeting on Wednesday.
Simon will be responsible for the “Corporate Communications” area at the association.
It is said that he should "drive forward the strategic development and positioning of the association and its subsidiaries in public perception, which is relevant from the point of view of image building".
"High social importance"
"I'm looking forward to getting involved with the DFB in the future," said Simon, adding that football in Germany "is of great importance to society".
The deputy DFB general secretary Heike Ullrich praised him as one of the “most well-known figures in German sports journalism.
He is a professional, there is no doubt about his competence”.
Simon "can convince, he can inspire, he knows his trade".
She also appreciates "his ability to empathize, his way of leading and dealing with people".
Simon held a managerial position at WDR for 19 years and was most recently responsible for all linear and digital sports content, including the Bundesliga sports show on Erste and sportschau.de, as program manager for sports.
He was international match commentator for ARD for 16 years and accompanied the national team at eight world and European championships.
He initiated the “Amateur Final Day” and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the German Football Museum.