“This is the right decision for SV Werder”

Werder president Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald has announced that he will not stand for re-election at the general meeting on 15th November 2026. The 65-year-old, who has been a member of the club for 56 years, explains his decision in detail.

WERDER.DE: Hubertus, you will not be standing for another term as president of Sport-Verein „Werder“ von 1899 e. V. Why have you made this decision?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: I have made a very conscious decision with complete conviction. Werder has come through some difficult years, is back on a more stable financial footing, is growing as a member-owned club and has launched important projects for the future. We can be proud of what we have achieved together. A change should come at a point when new leadership has solid foundations to build on. That is the situation we are in now. And a Werder president should be able to decide for themselves when the right time has come to hand over responsibility. For me, that time is now.

WERDER.DE: Werder has been a huge part of your life since childhood. How difficult was this decision for you?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: Over the past 12 years, I have carried out my duties as president with great pride, but also with the necessary humility that comes with such a significant responsibility. Looking ahead to the future, I kept asking myself one question: what is best for Werder? Because nothing and no one is bigger than the club. After careful consideration and extensive discussions with my family and those close to me, I came to the decision not to put myself forward for re-election. It was not an easy decision to make, but it is the right one for SV Werder.

WERDER.DE: What qualities does your successor need to have as president?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: Werder needs someone with the stature the role demands, as well as a clear sense of social responsibility. Someone who brings calm, stands by their convictions, makes decisions, provides direction in difficult situations and always represents Werder’s values. One of SV Werder’s defining qualities has always been the way the club faces every challenge with level-headedness and unity, remaining calm and alert while keeping a clear focus on the work that needs to be done. It is important that the company and the club, football and the other sporting areas, and elite and grassroots sport all continue to be 'one Werder'.

WERDER.DE: Are there any specific people you believe fit that profile?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: That is not for me to decide. The electoral committee has an independent role and a great deal of responsibility. Its job is to assess potential candidates and put forward a convincing proposal to the general meeting. I respect that process. Again, from my point of view, the important thing is to find someone who can bring people together, understands the values of a member-owned club and, at the same time, keeps the needs of the club’s sporting and footballing areas in mind.

WERDER.DE: What will you remember most from your time in office?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: The coronavirus pandemic, relegation, promotion, the development of the women's team, the renovation of Weserstadion Platz 11, the significant growth in membership and the progress made in sports other than football. It has been an eventful period. We have celebrated successes together, suffered together and endured plenty of challenging moments together. Time and again, Werder has demonstrated what makes the club so special and the extraordinary sense of unity within it. What impresses me most is how many people are willing to take responsibility for Werder – whether as employees, volunteers, members, partners or fans. But this is not yet the time to draw any final conclusions...

WERDER.DE: ...because there are still almost 100 days to go until the general meeting. What will be important during that time?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: It goes without saying that I will continue to fulfil my responsibilities in full until the end of my term and ensure there is a thorough handover. Among the matters on the agenda at the general meeting are amendments to the statutes aimed at further strengthening members’ interests. We want to prepare those as well as possible. Having clarity over my position now will help us make structured progress on the issues currently at hand.

WERDER.DE: As president, you also chair the supervisory board. What does your decision not to stand for re-election mean for that body?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: As soon as the executive committee has appointed a new representative, I will also step down from the supervisory board. Sport-Verein „Werder“ is and will remain the majority shareholder in the company. I therefore believe it is important that whoever takes over as president has the stature and ability required to chair a supervisory board made up of highly accomplished individuals. In other words, the future president needs to be capable of binding together strong, experienced and self-assured personalities.

WERDER.DE: You have been an honorary member since 2024. How will you remain connected to Werder in the future?

Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald: Werder has always been very close to my heart. It is my second home and will always be my club. My strong connection to Werder began when I was a young footballer, long before I first took on an official role, and it will remain once I step down as president. I have been fortunate enough to experience the development of SV Werder Bremen up close for more than half a century, and to play an active part in shaping it for over 30 of those years. Having the opportunity to serve in this role has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. To borrow the words of the great Pico Schütz: I am and always will be a Werderaner!