RB Leipzig has completed a key step in its long-term leadership overhaul by naming Tatjana Haenni as the club’s new CEO, a role she will officially take on from 1 January 2026. The appointment comes in the wake of Oliver Mintzlaff’s departure and is part of the club’s effort to strengthen its organizational structure to meet growing domestic and international challenges.
At 59, Haenni will join the management board alongside Johann Plenge, who oversees business operations, Florian Hopp in charge of administration, and Marcel Schäfer, head of the sporting department. The team will collectively steer the club’s continued development, including infrastructure expansion, new office openings, and the introduction of growth-focused processes across departments. Plenge, 40, will also take on the role of Deputy Chair of the Management Board, adding responsibility for national and international federation and league relations—an area the club identifies as strategically vital.
Supervisory Board Chair Oliver Mintzlaff praised Haenni’s appointment, highlighting her expertise, leadership skills, and strategic vision. He expressed confidence that her collaboration with Plenge, Schäfer, Hopp, and the wider management team will provide fresh momentum and ensure the club remains equipped to meet future demands.
Reflecting on her new role, Haenni described the hiring process as collaborative and marked by mutual trust. She said she looks forward to joining the club’s leadership team, working closely with colleagues, and exploring RB Leipzig’s potential. “Together, we want to continue on what is already a successful path and achieve our ambitious goals,” she said.
While unconfirmed reports suggest Haenni could become the first female CEO of a German football club, her administrative career is already distinguished. A former Swiss international with 23 caps, she transitioned from playing into senior roles at UEFA, FIFA, and the Swiss Football Association, bringing extensive experience in European and global football administration.
Founded in 2009 through the takeover of a fifth-division side, RB Leipzig quickly rose through the German league system, reaching the Bundesliga by 2016. The club has since won two German Cup titles and reached the 2020 Champions League semi-finals. In January 2025, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was appointed Red Bull’s global head of football, overseeing a multi-club structure that includes teams in Leipzig, New York, and Bragantino.
