Jonas Boldt Appointed Sport Managing Director at Hannover 96 with Vision for Bundesliga Promotion

Jonas Boldt has been officially named the new Sport Managing Director of Hannover 96, starting June 1, 2026, with a contract through May 31, 2029. He replaces Jörg Schmadtke, who left the role after just three months. Alongside Boldt, Henning Bindzus has also been appointed as the Commercial Managing Director, signaling a strategic overhaul within the club's leadership.

Boldt, aged 44, brings extensive experience from German professional football, having been at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from 2007 to 2019 in various scouting and management roles, and then serving as Sport-Vorstand at Hamburger SV until 2024. Despite his efforts, promotion eluded him at HSV, a challenge Hannover 96 also faces having failed in their last seven attempts to ascend to the Bundesliga.

The club's supervisory board expressed strong confidence in Boldt. Ralf Nestler, chairman, praised his track record in long-term sporting development and modern approach, which aligns well with Hannover's vision. Gregor Baum highlighted Boldt's blend of sporting expertise and strategic thinking, as well as his success in managing developmental processes. Martin Kind, chairman of Hannover 96 GmbH & Co. KGaA, emphasized Boldt’s deep market knowledge and his clear vision for structuring and developing the club's sporting division.

Boldt himself expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing the importance of quickly integrating into the club and working closely with Sportdirektor Ralf Becker and coach Christian Titz to achieve positive results. Turning down an offer from Danish club FC Copenhagen, Boldt is determined to succeed where he previously fell short — helping Hannover 96 secure promotion to the Bundesliga.

This appointment marks a focused effort by Hannover 96 to revitalize their sporting ambitions through experienced leadership, aiming to overcome recent hurdles and restore the club’s competitive standing in German football.