FC Hansa Rostock has successfully concluded its extraordinary general meeting, filling vacancies on its supervisory board and extending contracts for key players, signaling stability amid recent disruptions.
On December 21, 2024, the Rostocker Stadthalle hosted the meeting where 929 members of the club, representing about 3% of the total 28,000, gathered to witness significant governance updates. New supervisory board members Prof. Dr. Mario Hensel, Axel Giere, and Jean Diews were confirmed, restoring the board to full capacity with seven members. Continuing as chairman is Sebastian Eggert, ensuring leadership continuity.
The gathering was necessary after five supervisory board members resigned late October 2024 due to personal conflicts linked to fan incidents during games and reported altercations involving supporters of rival clubs. The resignation revealed underlying tensions within the management, prompting the need for renewed governance.
Initially convened on November 24, 2024, this meeting had to be postponed because of technical issues. The extraordinary meeting resolved by voting on 14 candidates, with three securing board positions through straightforward majority votes. The new lineup, alongside existing members Eggert, Anne Schäfer, and Sven Moschner, was aimed at stabilizing the oversight body for the upcoming year.
During the meeting, the board members reaffirmed leadership roles, highlighting the importance of collective experience for future decision-making. The increased membership activity signals renewed hopes for fan engagement, particularly for those passionately invested in the club's direction.
Alongside governance changes, the club announced attractive player contract extensions, securing the services of Nico Neidhart and Jonas Dirkner beyond the end of their current seasons. Ricardo Shapourzadeh, the club's Director of Professional Football, expressed confidence in Neidhart, highlighting his significance as both a leader and role model within the squad.
“Nico Neidhart has been with FC Hansa for over five years, and through his dedication, he has become integral to the club's identity,” Shapourzadeh stated. “His maturity and leadership are invaluable as we navigate our future.” Neidhart himself reflected on his career at the club, stating, “I have gone through ups and downs at this club and can now say it’s the most important stage of my career.”
Meanwhile, Dirkner, the 22-year-old central midfielder, has quickly emerged as a team starter since his return from VSG Altglienicke. Shapourzadeh praised Dirkner's impressive development and reliable performance, saying, “The development Jonas has taken is impressive. He’s proven his worth and demonstrated his potential.” Dirkner expressed his gratitude for the club's faith, noting, “I’m happy the sports management approached me to extend the contract, and I look forward to the future with Hansa.”
With the supervisory board now cohesive and key talents re-signed, FC Hansa Rostock aims to stabilize its administrative and sporting structure as it prepares for the next annual meeting set for 2025. The club seeks to build on its recent progress and heighten ambitions as it continues its campaign within the German football leagues. Fans remain hopeful of more positive developments as stability breeds success and effort from both the management and players fortifies club solidarity.
