Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves that are shaping the business of sport.
Every Friday, we bring you the latest executive appointments, strategic hires, boardroom shifts and behind-the-scenes deals from across the global sports industry – all in one place.
Klopp named Germany Head Coach as Mertesacker takes DFB sport role
Jürgen Klopp signed a four-year contract with the German Football Association (DFB) and was presented as Germany Head Coach in Frankfurt on Friday. The deal begins on 15 August and runs to the conclusion of the 2030 World Cup.
Klopp succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned after Germany’s round-of-32 exit to Paraguay on 29 June. Klopp leaves Red Bull, where he was Head of Global Soccer with oversight of RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls. It is his first coaching role since he left Liverpool in 2024.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said the association will not pay Red Bull a compensation fee and will instead donate €1m to Wings for Life, the Red Bull foundation that funds spinal cord research.
Peter Krawietz, Pep Lijnders and Sven Bender join as assistant coaches, all starting on 15 August.
The DFB also confirmed that Per Mertesacker will succeed Andreas Rettig as its Managing Director for sport from 1 January 2027. Mertesacker won the 2014 World Cup with Germany and spent a decade at Arsenal, where he ran the academy after retiring. He joins Klopp in taking Germany forward for the next four years.
Ospreys chief executive Bradley departs
Ospreys Rugby CEO Lance Bradley is leaving the club after two and a half years. Bradley joined in January 2024 from Gloucester Rugby, where he had been chief executive for five years.
Ospreys said they wished to record their thanks to Bradley and would announce his replacement in due course.
Bradley said he was leaving the club in a stronger position than he found it, citing its move to St Helen’s, improved finances and the best season ticket sales in more than a decade. Ospreys move into the redeveloped St Helen’s ground in Swansea for the 2026-27 season.
AMBSE restructures operations as Exler retires
AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Dietmar Exler will retire on 14 August.
Exler has held the role since July 2019 with responsibility for operating Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. He also served as CEO of the Arthur M. Blank Family Office from the end of 2020 until August 2025.
AMBSE will realign operational responsibilities from 17 August. Tameka Rish becomes Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, adding stadium operations and food and beverage to her responsibilities. Rish has been at AMBSE for 21 years and began her career there in corporate partnerships for the Atlanta Falcons.
Doug Roberts becomes Senior Vice-President of Stadium Revenue and Events. Joe Coomer becomes Senior Vice-President of Security and Guest Experience. All three report to AMBSE President Tim Zulawski.
London Lions name Devereux chief executive
London Lions have appointed Steve Devereux as CEO.
Devereux has more than 11 years of experience in British sport and joins from Bristol Sport, the parent company of Bristol City, Bristol Bears and Bristol Flyers.
He joins as the club examines plans for a 15,000-capacity arena in London. The Lions play at the 6,000-capacity Copper Box Arena.
Snapshot Moves
- The International World Games Association has appointed Constance Terrier as CEO. Terrier joins from World Archery, where she was Chief Operating Officer.
- Phygital International has appointed Dan Merkley CEO with immediate effect, succeeding Nis Hatt. Merkley moves from the World Phygital Community, where David Feng replaces him as Interim Chairman.
- VfL Wolfsburg have appointed Steffen Grupp to lead marketing and sales, with effect from July 27. Grupp spent 15 years as the Bundesliga club’s Head of Marketing and joined from Sportfive in April 2011.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Editor, Louis Thompsett, at [email protected] to be featured in the next edition of Sideline Moves.
