GENERAL NEWS
03/22/2012

Director Tanner leaves TSG

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have parted company with Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. His contract was cancelled as part of a mutual agreement by both parties and his duties will now be taken over by first team head coach Markus Babbel

Dietmar Hopp, the club's owner, said of the decision: “As a business, we arrived at this decision after lengthy internal discussions. We feel that this was the best solution for the club at this point. We simply did not share the same visions regarding the future footballing direction of TSG.” According to Hopp, a separation was the necessary in order for the club to ‘remain financially competitive and for any transfers for the coming season to be negotiated with enough room to manoeuvre.'

Peter Hoffmann, President and majority shareholder of the club, issued the following statement: “This is a regrettable solution. On behalf of TSG, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to Ernst Tanner for the work he accomplished here at 1899.”

Manager Babbel will find himself with an altogether new set of responsibilities, but insists he is relishing the challenge. “We won't chop and change the entire team. On the contrary, we'll make punctual changes where they are necessary. In Rainer Widmayer, I have an accomplished and experienced coach at my side. And this club has huge potential to develop itself. I'm sure that if we can pull all our resources together, we can have a satisfactory end to the year and look forward with confidence to next season.”

Tanner said of his release: “I had three exciting and eventful years at this club, and I'll never forget them. We have made a lot of useful steps to ensure Hoffenheim has a bright future, and I'm proud of that. I will continue to follow the team's progress and I wish them every success for the future.”

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