The construction of a new DFB headquarters and academy as well as a projected budget has been voted for at today’s DFB convention. With this development, both the DFB’s management and academy will have the opportunity to grow together as a unit. The facilities will be built on the grounds of the former racecourse in the Niederrad region of Frankfurt. The project serves as a great commitment to the continued development of German football from top to bottom.
“I welcome the decision of the delegates and I’m very happy to be going forward with this project,” said DFB president Reinhard Grindel. “Through the construction of a new headquarters and academy we’re creating the necessary structure, facilities and conditions to continue the development of German football from the grassroots level up. The whole of football in Germany will benefit from this groundbreaking project.”
A budget in the region of 150 million Euros has been pledged to help pay for what is the biggest investment in the history of the DFB. Included in the budget is a fixed price contract for the construction of the facilities and project management, as well as provisions for any unforeseen risks. The new centre of DFB football operations will be funded by savings, grants from FIFA and UEFA, as well as bank financing.
“It will be a place where footballing ideas and enthusiasm can come together.”
“The new headquarters and academy will bring everything closer together and allow for everything to go forward as one,” said DFB general secretary Dr. Friedrich Curtius. ”There’s already a great sense of enthusiasm surrounding this project amongst ourselves, our partners and the wider football family. It will be a place where footballing ideas and enthusiasm can come together.”
“Our goal is that this will help German football to consistently develop and establish our academy as one of the best in the world,” said Oliver Bierhoff, leader of the DFB academy. “We want our team, technology and science to be a leading example for football around the world. We want to keep gaining knowledge and for our experts, coaches, teams and players to keep getting better.”
According to current plans, the DFB expects to take over ownership of the land currently occupied by the racecourse in the Niederrad region of Frankfurt by early 2018 at the latest. Work is expected to begin on the new complex in the middle of the following year. It is planned to be finished at the beginning of 2021.