Wolfgang Dietrich on…
…the 2018 member’s general-assembly 2018:
"although this year’s member’s general assembly on June 10th will not include any votes or polls relating to future-significant issues, I hope that as many members as possible make their way to the den SCHARRena to make a statement on the significance of VfB."
…the recent record-breaking figures:
"The VfB fans set a new attendance record for home games, with an average of 56,200 attending the matches in out Arena. In the first two days, we have sold 7,000 season-tickets and, since last Saturday, almost 10,000 jerseys for the coming season. In addition, VfB currently boasts over 62,000 members. We achieved the comeback to the Bundesliga. VfB is alive and kicking."
…the possibilities and targets of VfB:
"It’s unbelievable that, even at this stage, we have managed to develop the squad further, as we have achieved the economic and sporting prerequisites to do so. It makes a massive difference to now be in a position to act, which we are, rather than first having to sell players before we can bring in others. We want to develop the team so that we can establish ourselves in mid-table next season. We can’t afford to take our foot off the gas now. We still have our sights on the target of establishing ourselves in the top-third of the table over the next four years. Next season, we want to take the next step."
…financing the youth policy at VfB:
"In the meantime, some 60% of the costs of our youth development area are independently financed. In the foreseeable future, I expect our youth teams to no longer be at all dependent on the professional area – which would afford us more planning security."
…the outsourcing of the football department in 2017:
"The outsourcing of the football department was a ground-breaking decision by our members. I don’t know where VfB would be today without that. It’s clear that the squad would not look as it does now. We would never have been able to affording signings such as Mario Gomez, or realise the contract extensions with Timo Baumgartl and Benjamin Pavard. In addition, outsourcing made it possible to realise ten years of necessary improvements to our training-grounds within one year. We have made a quantum-leap in that area."