Borussia Dortmund has secured long-term stability at the top by extending the contracts of its executive board members ahead of schedule. The club confirmed on Monday the renewals for Lars Ricken, Carsten Cramer, and Thomas Treß, alongside the immediate appointment of Cramer as the new chairman of the executive board. This move for leadership continuity comes as the team sits top of the Bundesliga with 12 points from four games, riding a five-match winning streak.
Carsten Cramer, who has been a managing director since March 2018 and served as board spokesperson since last November, has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The 56-year-old will oversee marketing and communication. "We want to position the club for the future with our team and develop it further with a clear stance," Cramer said. His aim is sporting success combined with economic stability and a foundation in the club's values.
Contract Terms and Responsibilities
Sporting director Lars Ricken is now contracted until the summer of 2030. Thomas Treß, responsible for finance, extended his deal by one year at his own request until 2028, after which he will depart the executive board. Responsibility for human resources remains with Svenja Schlenker, whose contract runs unchanged until 2028. This clear division of duties is designed to solidify the club's strategic direction.
Watzke Hands Over to New Team
The leadership change follows the transition of Hans-Joachim Watzke, who vacated the chairman role last November and now serves as club president. Watzke expressed strong confidence in the new leadership team. "I have great trust in Carsten Cramer and the entire executive board," Watzke stated. He cited their experience, competence, and understanding of the club's identity. Watzke emphasised that the new corporate strategy and ongoing statutory processes have launched key projects to make Borussia Dortmund future-proof in sporting, economic, structural, and cultural terms.
The executive decisions arrive as the team's on-field performance impresses. Dortmund leads the table by two points from Bayern Munich, having scored nine goals while conceding only two this season. The squad now prepares for the next Bundesliga home match against eighth-placed Werder Bremen on 9 October. The last meeting in January ended in a 3-0 win for Dortmund. With the leadership contracts now secured, the club has laid the organisational foundation to support the positive on-pitch development for the long term.
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