Zietz as Managing Director; all Matches at the Alte Försterei

1. FC Union Berlin are synchronizing the management structures of the men’s and women’s professional teams meaning that, in the future, both will be part of the professional football division. Within this division, Jennifer Zietz will be responsible for women’s professional football as managing director from 01.07.2024, with Ailien Poese continuing in her role as head coach. Horst Heldt, meanwhile, will act as Managing Director for men’s professional football from July, with Bo Svensson as Head Coach.

In the new season, the focus on women’s football will be ever-greater, with the Stadion An der Alten Försterei becoming the venue for home matches in both the 2. Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal.

“After the experiences of the last two years, in which we first professionalised the structures around the team and then the team itself, we want to continue along the path we have taken,” said Union president, Dirk Zingler, on the restructuring. “1. FC Union Berlin have two professional teams representing the peak of the club’s sporting ambitions, striving to compete in the highest division. To achieve this, it is necessary to train and play under the best possible conditions. Both teams will therefore have their sporting home at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and will benefit from the strength of our club.”

“It is only logical that both teams will have the same management structure in the future. During her time at Union, Jennifer Zietz has contributed her valuable wealth of experience in top-level football and achieved a great deal. We are very much looking forward to taking the next steps together.”

Meanwhile Zietz had this to say on the developments. “I am very impressed by the way women’s professional football is promoted at Union and I am proud to be able to help shape this path. We were able to experience the sporting potential of our team and witnessed the enthusiasm it can generate last season, particularly in the two matches at the Alte Försterei, which were attended by more than 30,000 people in total. Being able to call this stadium our sporting home is another very important step towards ensuring that professional women’s football is part of the sporting identity of 1. FC Union Berlin.”

The women’s team’s summer preparations will begin on 08.07.2024 with performance tests. The first competitive match is scheduled for the first round of the DFB Cup on the weekend of 17/18 August. The 2. Bundesliga season starts a week later.