On Thursday evening, the local council, German Football Association (DFB) and the City of Frankfurt agreed to lease part of the Niederrad: A green light for the DFB’s academy. What does this mean? What’s next? DFB-General Secretary Helmut Sandrock explained everything to DFB.de in an interview this morning.
DFB.de: Herr Sandrock, how relieved are you to finally have a site?
Helmut Sandrock: I never really had any doubts, so don’t think relief is the right word. But obviously we are delighted. To have the backing of the local council is another milestone as their support is crucial in helping this project come to fruition. We have always had great faith in those responsible and yesterday showed that we have no reason to change this.
DFB.de: The majority backed you and included people from all parties: Out of 93 votes, only 17 opposed the agreement. Did you expect this to happen?
Sandrock: We have always felt that the city of Frankfurt was interested in having the DFB in the city. Naturally this interested us and they met our requirements. We provide a “Win-win” situation – there are benefits for both sides. The “Letter of Intent” which we negotiated with the city at the start of the year was also welcomed by people from all parties. The vote on Thursday allows us to build upon what we already have.
DFB.de: The DFB will become responsible for work on the site from 1st January 2016…
Sandrock: Exactly. From then we are responsible for the land.
DFB.de: The support of the city is an important step forward. The complex is due to be finished in 2018 – how do envisage the building process?
Sandrock: The contract now needs signing, which it will be in due course. We have a meeting in November in which we will view the contract properly and sign it. At the same time we will also be running a competition for architects. The interest from domestic and international ones will be huge. In May 2015 a panel of representatives from the varying parties will decide the winning design. We will then know what the DFB Academy will look like upon completion in 2018.
created by mmc/mb
On Thursday evening, the local council, German Football Association (DFB) and the City of Frankfurt agreed to lease part of the Niederrad: A green light for the DFB’s academy. What does this mean? What’s next? DFB-General Secretary Helmut Sandrock explained everything to DFB.de in an interview this morning.
DFB.de: Herr Sandrock, how relieved are you to finally have a site?
Helmut Sandrock: I never really had any doubts, so don’t think relief is the right word. But obviously we are delighted. To have the backing of the local council is another milestone as their support is crucial in helping this project come to fruition. We have always had great faith in those responsible and yesterday showed that we have no reason to change this.
DFB.de: The majority backed you and included people from all parties: Out of 93 votes, only 17 opposed the agreement. Did you expect this to happen?
Sandrock: We have always felt that the city of Frankfurt was interested in having the DFB in the city. Naturally this interested us and they met our requirements. We provide a “Win-win” situation – there are benefits for both sides. The “Letter of Intent” which we negotiated with the city at the start of the year was also welcomed by people from all parties. The vote on Thursday allows us to build upon what we already have.
DFB.de: The DFB will become responsible for work on the site from 1st January 2016…
Sandrock: Exactly. From then we are responsible for the land.
DFB.de: The support of the city is an important step forward. The complex is due to be finished in 2018 – how do envisage the building process?
Sandrock: The contract now needs signing, which it will be in due course. We have a meeting in November in which we will view the contract properly and sign it. At the same time we will also be running a competition for architects. The interest from domestic and international ones will be huge. In May 2015 a panel of representatives from the varying parties will decide the winning design. We will then know what the DFB Academy will look like upon completion in 2018.
