Overview
- The DFB introduced Marc Kosicke as part of Jürgen Klopp’s staff with the title 'co‑trainer for strategy, development and innovation' and DFB president Bernd Neuendorf described him as an external consultant with broad access to the association.
- Prominent critics, led by Uli Hoeneß, publicly warned the package could concentrate power inside the DFB and called the arrangement a takeover of the federation.
- Kosicke has publicly rejected the takeover charge and said he is not a decision‑maker, will provide outside perspectives only, and will not sit on the bench or intervene in sporting matters.
- Kosicke told reporters he has given up Klopp’s marketing and no longer holds shares in projectFIVE, saying he now focuses on advising the DFB through his agency Projekt b.
- Klopp has pushed back on the controversy and said the discussion will be irrelevant once his influence is visible, with his first squad selection and upcoming national team matches set to show whether the advisory role changes results or public trust.