Decision looming: Bayern courting Stuttgart chief | OneFootball

The personnel matter of Rouven Kasper creates tension between Stuttgart and Munich. The VfB's marketing board member is in the focus of the German record champion – a decision is expected shortly.

At FC Bayern, after the announced departure of CFO Michael Diederich on September 30, an important board position needs to be filled. Since CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen can cover financial topics and Sports Director Max Eberl has his department firmly in hand, Munich's focus is on the marketing area.

As reported by kicker, Rouven Kasper remains the top candidate. The 43-year-old has been the marketing board member at VfB Stuttgart since January 2022, and his contract runs until 2028. However, both in Stuttgart and Munich, it is expected that the native of Mühlacker will make a decision about his future in the coming days.

For Bayern, not only the bigger stage and presumably better financial prospects speak in their favor, but also Kasper's past: Before his time at VfB, he worked for Lagardere Sports and set up the FCB's branch in Shanghai. A connection that apparently still has an effect today. Bayern's supervisory board chairman Herbert Hainer is said to have jokingly remarked at the time that Kasper was only "on loan."

VfB offers perspective, Bayern the big stage

Photo: IMAGO

The Stuttgart team, on the other hand, is doing everything to keep their marketing chief. At the DFB Cup winner, Kasper has not only advanced the internationalization of the club but also significantly accompanied the integration of Porsche as the third external shareholder. The supervisory board, including Dietmar Allgaier, Franz Reiner, and Lutz Meschke, is accordingly satisfied.

According to kicker, the VfB bosses have already signaled to Kasper an offer for collaboration beyond 2028 – coupled with appreciation for his previous work. For the 43-year-old, the proximity to family also speaks in favor: His hometown Mühlacker is only an hour's drive from Stuttgart.

For FC Bayern, in addition to international experience, Kasper's expertise in the Asian market is particularly important. The record champion wants to further strengthen its position there – and sees Kasper as a suitable man for this task.

Decision expected shortly

Time is pressing: The VfB supervisory board is meeting next week, where possible modalities of an early contract termination might also be discussed. This brings a decision about Kasper's future within reach.

Whether the marketing expert will choose to stay close to home and maintain continuity in Stuttgart or take on the big challenge with the industry leader from Munich could be decided in the coming days.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.