Leipzig appoint Haenni as first female CEO in Bundesliga

Tatjana Haenni has been appointed RB Leipzig CEO, making her the first woman to hold such a position at a German Bundesliga football club.

Haenni, 59, will start on January 1 in the position that had been vacant since Oliver Mintzlaff's departure three years ago.

She will head RB Leipzig’s management board together with Johann Plenge (Business), Florian Hopp (Administration) and Marcel Schäfer (Sport) in an expanded leadership structure, the club said.

Haenni is a former Swiss international player who became the first person to look after women's football at the European body UEFA. She was head of women's football for 18 years at the world governing body FIFA, and her last position was sporting director at the American top league NWSL.

Mintzlaff said as chairman of the club's supervisory board that Haenni "impressed us and the committees with her expertise, as well as her combination of specialist knowledge, leadership strength and strategic thinking.

"We expect that she will provide new input and fresh impetus, helping us to remain well-equipped for the future and continue to meet rising demands."

Haenni said: "I am convinced that with strong teamwork and a focus on RB Leipzig’s strengths, we can tap into significant potential. Together, we want to continue on what is already a successful path, and achieve our ambitious goals.”

Ambitious Leipzig are second in the Bundesliga and twice German Cup winners.