Paul Schaffran named new academy director | OneFootball

Schaffran has been working in BVB’s youth academy since 2021, initially as “Head of Sports Science” and, since July 2024, as “Head of Strategy and Development.” In July 2025, the 39-year-old was promoted to Head of the Youth Performance Center.

Lars Ricken, who oversaw the YPC as Director until his appointment as Managing Director for Sport at Borussia Dortmund in May 2024, explains: “Paul Schaffran has established himself as an important leader in our YPC and, in recent months, has played a leading role in setting the course for a successful future for our YPC. Our goal at Borussia Dortmund is to keep developing and improving in all areas. With Paul in his new role as Director, we believe our YPC is ideally positioned to achieve that.”

Even before joining BVB, Schaffran spent nearly three years as coordinator of the joint project “Talent Development in Elite Youth Football” between the Black and Yellows’ Youth Performance Center and Ruhr University Bochum.

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