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“When a club stands united as one, it grows stronger”
IN CONVERSATION WITH CLUB PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD DR HUBERTUS HESS-GRUNEWALD
06/02/26
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Across more than 25 years spent serving as a leading figure on the supervisory board, executive committee and management board at the club, Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald has made a decisive contribution not only to SV Werder Bremen’s many successes but also to leading the club through difficult sporting periods. Our president and chairman of the supervisory board sat down with us for an interview, in which he discussed how Werder are looking to overcome difficult times right now and how the club deals with criticism and uncertainty.
WERDER.DE: Moin Hubertus, SV Werder Bremen celebrated its 127th birthday on Wednesday this week. How did you find the mood around this anniversary?
Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: A 127th-year anniversary is something we can be proud of, and an age that always serves as a reminder of the power, tradition and responsibility that have become part of the club over more than a century. This year, our birthday rolled around during a difficult period on the pitch, which understandably can’t just be pushed to the side even on a day like that, rather it’s at the forefront of the minds of a lot of people at the club.
WERDER.DE: Daniel Thioune was unveiled as Werder’s new head coach on the same day, an important move as the club tries to correct course over the coming months. How do you view this appointment?
Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: I’m delighted that we managed to secure Daniel’s services just a few days after parting ways with Horst Steffen; he’s somebody who’s proven his quality as a coach and is well known in the Bundesliga, who is approaching his role with a great deal of dedication and passion. Much credit has to be given to the rigorous work done by our management board, above all Clemens Fritz, and their exceptional communication with the supervisory board. I’m confident that with Daniel Thioune on the touchline - combined with a sense of calm, a strong togetherness and confident decision-making within the club - we can become more successful here over the coming weeks and months.
WERDER.DE: It’s still important to note that the current sporting situation in the men’s Bundesliga, having gone so long without a win, has naturally led to a lot of criticism being levelled at those behind the scenes at SVW. How does Werder deal with these criticisms?
Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: We take the concerns of all the fans and everybody who follows SV Werder Bremen very seriously. Unease and dissatisfaction are completely understandable following ten games without a win. The important thing is that criticism is always expressed fairly and based on the facts, and that it doesn’t extend into personal attacks on those involved.
WERDER.DE: Part of the public criticism is an online petition to hold a general meeting to discuss and evaluate Clemens Fritz's work. How do you assess this petition?
Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: It reflects the concern felt by the supporters, but it’s important to understand the context. I’ve discussed this in a detailed discussion over the telephone with the person who began the petition, and I’ll happily go over it again here. Firstly, this online petition has no relevance within the statutes of the club. It’s also important to note that around half of the signatories are anonymous. Of those who provided their real names, a random sample revealed that about 30 percent are members of SV Werder Bremen.
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WERDER.DE: What you’re saying is, firstly, the number of signatories is too low, and secondly, the petition is not in accordance with the statutes to convene an extraordinary general meeting?
Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: That’s right. In the club statutes, it states that an extraordinary general meeting is to be held when a tenth of members with the right to vote submit a written request to the executive committee, stating the purpose and reasons for the meeting. It’s important that the annual general meeting retains its utmost importance within the club and its according significance. This is precisely due to the fact that it gives our members the chance to have their say. However, resolutions can only be passed on topics for which the general meeting is responsible, as defined in the statutes.
WERDER.DE: We saw this democratic decision-making process in action just two months ago at the regular 2025 general members meeting...
Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: …at which the members nominated, among other things, four candidates for the Supervisory Board to be elected at the annual general meeting. The Supervisory Board has now constituted itself in its new composition and, as a body legitimised by the annual general meeting, should also be trusted to provide critical yet constructive support to the management.
WERDER.DE: One of the demands stipulated in the petition is that an extraordinary general meeting would call for a change in the position of managing director for sport...
Dr Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: Indeed, in my view, this petition is clearly directed against Clemens Fritz. However, it must be clear that the members’ meeting cannot compel or oblige the supervisory board to replace a member of the management board. And I want to emphasise at this point: as club president and chair of the supervisory board, I have full confidence in Clemens Fritz and in his work, and I see no reason to dismiss him. In my role, I bear responsibility for this position and I have a clear opinion and stance on the matter.
WERDER.DE: In your view, how can SV Werder Bremen ensure that it will also be able to celebrate its 128th birthday next year with a men’s team competing in the Bundesliga?
Dr Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: From my many decades being a member of SV Werder Bremen and working within its bodies, I know this: crises are not overcome through unrest, mistrust or blaming others, but through clarity, unity and confidence. Clubs that start to become divided in difficult moments struggle. Clubs that stand together grow from them. What has always characterised SV Werder Bremen is that we face sporting challenges with composure and togetherness, with the necessary calm and vigilance, and with a clear focus on the work that needs to be done. In the same way, we can succeed this time too in generating the energy needed to get back onto the path of success.
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