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Köln Elevates Thomas Kessler to Sporting CEO, Extends Deal to 2028

The move aligns the club’s leadership for continuity after the top sporting post sat vacant since last spring.

Overview

  • Kessler moves up from sporting director to Geschäftsführer Sport with a contract running through 2028.
  • Finance chief Philipp Türoff renews to 2029, takes on the commercial portfolio, and serves as spokesman of the management board.
  • The executive trio is now set with Kessler, Türoff, and marketing and sales lead Philipp Liesenfeld, whose deal runs to 2028.
  • The sporting chief position had been open since Christian Keller’s exit a few games before promotion from the 2. Liga in May 2025.
  • A longtime club stalwart, Kessler previously led licensing and the sporting department and now oversees the first team, scouting, women’s program, academy sport and administration, and medical units.