Regional league: Third division relegated team presents former Bundesliga coach as sporting advisor

Sixth place after 18 games, eight points behind first place: This is the current sporting situation for the third division relegated team VfB Oldenburg in the Regionalliga Nord.

A prominent sporting advisor should ensure that things go even better for coach Fuat Kilic and his Oldenburg team in the future.

The North Germans presented on St. Nicholas Day (December 6, 2023) Thomas Schaaf in this function. Like no other, he stands for Werder Bremen’s great successes. Schaaf was active on the Weser for over 40 years, as a player, coach and official. VfB Oldenburg now wants to benefit from the 62-year-old’s competence and experience.

“We are very pleased that we can shape the future of VfB Oldenburg with the support of an expert like Thomas Schaaf,” says Stefan Könner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VfB Oldenburg.

I can still remember the so-called Hell of Donnerschwee very well. Although I wasn’t in the squad when Werder played in Oldenburg in 1981, I experienced the very special atmosphere that prevailed there. VfB has developed positively in recent years and if I can now play a small part in shaping further development, I would be happy to do so.

Thomas Schaaf

Schaaf, who has also worked for the European football association Uefa since 2011, has had a friendly relationship with VfB Oldenburg for some time and has followed the club’s development with interest. Against this background, Schaaf has now been able to be won over for an advisory role. “Thomas Schaaf has a huge wealth of experience, is a proven football expert who not only has a great deal of sporting expertise, but has also played a lasting role in shaping non-sporting developments in his long career. He is also an extremely down-to-earth person who is very connected to our region That’s also why it’s an excellent fit for VfB Oldenburg,” explains Könner.

He continues: “We have a lot of topics that play an important role for the future of VfB Oldenburg, especially in the area of ​​youth development and club structures. It immediately became clear in our discussions that we will benefit greatly from the expertise that Thomas Schaaf will contribute. Of course he will also exchange ideas with our sporting management, but primarily it is about the strategic further development of VfB.”

Schaaf himself is looking forward to his new voluntary work at VfB Oldenburg, with whom he even has memories of his active time as a player. “I can still remember the so-called hell of Donnerschwee very well. I wasn’t in the squad when Werder played in Oldenburg in 1981, but I experienced the very special atmosphere that prevailed there. In recent years, VfB has developed positively and if I can now contribute a small part to shaping further development, I would be happy to do that.”