Official: German Football Association extends contract with sporting director Rudi Völler until 2028

The German Football Association (DFB) issued a statement on Wednesday announcing that it has renewed its contract with sports director Rudi Völler until the end of the 2028 European Cup. The decision has been unanimously approved by the Supervisory Board and the General Meeting of Shareholders, and Völler's term of office will be extended by two years on the original basis.

Rudi Voller, 64, helped West Germany win the 1990 World Cup as a player. After retiring in 1996, he held senior positions at Bayer Leverkusen for a long time and coached the German national team from 2000 to 2004.

After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Voller replaced Oliver Bierhoff as the sports director of the German team and the U21 team. He worked closely with Julian Nagelsmann and successfully led the German team to the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Cup.

After completing the contract extension, German Football Association President Bernd Neuendorf said: "Rudi Völler was and is an important cornerstone for the German national team to return to the winning track. After three disappointing tournaments, he is crucial to the national team coach, the players and the entire German Football Association."

"After Julian's contract extension, I was personally particularly hopeful that I would be able to convince Rudy to continue working together. Together, they have inspired a new wave of enthusiasm for the German national team. Therefore, I firmly believe that: 'You don't need to change a successful team.' I am very happy that this combination will continue."

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is also delighted with Völler's contract extension, which was extended in January 2024 until the end of Euro 2028: "Rudy is an important asset for all of us in the national team. Whenever we need him, he is always there to support us like a father with his experience. I have stressed the personal influence he has had on me, especially when I decided to extend my contract until Euro 2028. I am therefore delighted that he has chosen to continue supporting me and to stay with us until Euro 2028. His extension is a crucial step for German football, for our team and for me personally. We still have many common goals to achieve."

Völler said: "The German national team is very much in my heart. The exciting European Championships on home soil certainly played a role, but the cooperation with Julian Nagelsmann was particularly important. I am very much looking forward to continuing along the path we have opened up with Julian and his team until the next European Championship - a path that is not only towards sporting success, but also to the hearts of German fans."

“We have made great progress, but we are not there yet. We have the highest aspirations and goals and believe we can achieve them with this passionate team.”