"Defining Barriers"

HSV.de: Dr. Wüstefeld, only recently you became a shareholder and member of the Supervisory Board as well as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HSV Fußball AG, and now you are being seconded by the Supervisory Board to the Management Board on a temporary basis for one year. Can you explain this rapid change of position?

Dr. Thomas Wüstefeld: In fact, individual moments were decisive for each step. I was and am a fan of Hamburger SV, so I became a shareholder. I was asked by the newly formed supervisory body whether I would be willing to take over as chairman. I was very honoured and still am today - so I accepted. Even during my induction as Chairman of the Supervisory Board, I gained valuable insights and had many constructive discussions on the development of HSV Fußball AG. In these admittedly few weeks, I became more and more immersed in the content. Furthermore, in view of the further pandemic-related cutbacks, we on the Supervisory Board quickly identified the need to address various issues now that also have relevance beyond the sporting season. In order to avoid a change in the Executive Board in the middle of such an ongoing restructuring process in the summer, the Supervisory Board sought talks with Frank Wettstein to explore the possibilities of an amicable separation before the end of the season. On the other hand, in order to be able to work with the necessary calm on a long-term replacement for Frank Wettstein and to accompany the initiated processes with a certain continuity, the other members of the Supervisory Board asked me whether I could imagine a temporary appointment to the Executive Board, which is limited to a maximum of one year under stock corporation law. I thought about it, of course also consulted with my family, and gave an answer: Yes.

"To use the time to drive forward the development of HSV into an even more competitive club in German professional football."

And why now exactly?

Because, especially in view of the Corona consequences and Frank Wettstein's departure, which is imminent anyway, it is the right time to define guard rails with the Supervisory Board and also with the circle of shareholders and to use them out of operational responsibility. I would like to describe it in a more figurative and perhaps more understandable way: In the past, it was often the case at HSV that a leading actor was engaged and the script was adapted for him or that he even formulated it and decided on the corresponding appointments himself. We have to and want to change that. We will draft a script for HSV, which will of course be adapted again and again to current developments, but which will correspond in its basic features to the jointly defined guard rails. On this basis, positions will be filled, including leading actors. I would like to use my limited time as acting chairman to drive HSV's development into an even more competitive club in German professional football. 

You speak of "limited time". Some critics and sceptics might have memories of a predecessor on the board who also came from the supervisory board.

Yes, we, and above all I, have to live with these assumptions and parallels. But I can too, because there are decisive differences. Firstly, I am the first personal shareholder to be appointed to the board on a provisional basis. Secondly, this secondment is deliberate and, in accordance with the Stock Corporation Act, only for twelve months. And thirdly, I don't get paid for my work for HSV, I work pro bono.

You were a busy entrepreneur even before your HSV engagement. Do you have enough time for the new role?

Absolutely. The decision to take this step is well-considered and was, of course, also discussed intensively with my family office and also within the family. I will spend a lot of time at Volkspark to drive the development forward together with my colleagues. And before you ask: my main workplace will be here at HSV.

"My person or the importance of my person is irrelevant, I am oriented towards processes and towards issues"

What do your first measures look like, what are you tackling first

First of all, I want to have a close exchange with my colleague on the board, Jonas Boldt. And then, especially in view of the expected losses in this financial year, there are a lot of talks to stabilise HSV's overall situation, as well as many promising talks for the coming seasons with banks, with the city, with sponsoring partners and with our marketer. Of course, there are also very topical issues. I will now quickly make contact with Hamburg's politicians to address the, in my view, incomprehensible Corona treatment or the exclusion of spectators for Hamburg's professional sport in comparison to amateur sport or culture and to represent our position there. There is a lot of need for discussion and explanation.

How will you interpret and perform your role in principle? What are you like as a leader?

I will exercise it in the way that is necessary for a board member: to bring out the best possible for his organisation, i.e. for our HSV. My person or the importance of my person is irrelevant. I orient myself to processes and to issues. As a leader, I am a team player. I like to transfer responsibility if I can understand things and think they are right. And I am very persistent when it comes to drilling down until all facets are illuminated. 

Thank you very much for the interview.