General meeting: The candidates for the role of second chairperson

Simone Engelhardt

Simone Engelhardt grew up with TSG Hoffenheim. She has been a member for over 50 years, first as a gymnast, then as a coach – and now as second chairperson. Her connection to the club isn’t a role – it’s a lived identity. Now she is running again, with a clear orientation, fresh energy, and a goal: “I want to make sure that we remain visible, alive and relevant as a club – in the sport, in society, and on a human level.”

As a customer service manager, Simone, who was born in Hoffenheim, brings leaderships skills, a strong sense of structure, and an eye for the essentials. What makes her stand out in her role is her combination of reliability, empathy, and decisiveness. “I can listen to people, provide new impetus - and I keep going even when things get difficult,” said Engelhardt. She understands TSG from almost every perspective: as an athlete, as a volunteer, as a functionary, as part of a community that has become her second family. 

She wants to continue to draw on this diverse experience to strengthen the club on a practical, organisational and human level. It is especially important to her that more people actively identify with TSG again - not just in the stands, but also within the club itself. “We need to grow, not just in terms of sport, but also as a community of members. It's my goal to significantly increase our membership to give the club an even stronger foundation.”

In her next period in office, she will focus on four key areas: strengthening voluntary engagement, consistently promoting junior and grassroots sport, expanding modern club structures, and actively shaping TSG's role in society. This isn't just management talk - it's about what people really care about. “We have the chance to give children confidence, give young people prospects, and offer adults a home. That's more than just organisation - that's an attitude.”

At the same time, she wants to make communication within the club more transparent, develop new formats for participation, and actively drive forward digital transformation. Talent should be seen, encouraged and accompanied not only in high-performance sport, but also at the grassroots level - regardless of age, background, or physical ability. 

Sustainability, diversity, social responsibility - for Engelhardt, these aren't buzzwords, but guiding principles. “TSG is a place where values are lived. I want to help make this attitude visible - with team spirit, openness, and the courage to take new paths.”

Her motto: “TSG unites top performance and social togetherness. And both of those things are only possible if we as the committee show our faces, listen, and show that we're there. This club is the fire in my heart, and I want that spark to become infectious again.”

Lorenz Glück

Lorenz Glück has been a member of TSG Hoffenheim since 2006, and has been closely connected to the club ever since. Born in Heidelberg, he is a fully qualified lawyer, real estate economist, managing director of a medium-sized family business - and now wants to consciously apply his professional experience to a voluntary role. “I want to take on this responsibility because I think that as a club we have an exciting phase ahead of us: with new opportunities, but also with growing responsibility.”

Glück represents reliability, expert knowledge, and a desire to shape things together. His focus is communication, participation, and dialogue - not only out of an understanding of how modern clubs work, but also out of conviction. “What keeps a club alive is its ability to bring people in - not just symbolically, but in a way that really has an effect.”

He sees the process to change the constitution which began last year as a strong signal in favour of greater participation. He wants to consistently pursue this path. According to Glück, this will require clear structures, transparency, and an attitude that enables closeness. He sees himself as a team player with an analytical eye and a grounded attitude. “I listen, form an opinion, and then try to find viable solutions. That's my approach.”

He sees enormous potential in TSG, in terms of both sport and structures. The club's success story, the outstanding work with the juniors, the infrastructure, the closeness to the region: for Glück, it's about developing all of these things. “Our task is to draw new energy from the strengths we already have. I want a stadium that isn't just full, but is also emotionally powerful - and members who feel seen.”

One of his stated goals is to significantly increase the number of members. This will require offers, communication, and a committee that brings people together. Glück wants to build bridges: between departments, generations, and prospects. “I am convinced that we are ready for the next stage of development - as TSG, as a community, as a club.”

Christoph Henssler

Christoph Henssler has been a member of TSG Hoffenheim since February 2024. A family man from near Sinsheim, he works in the chemical industry, and wants to join the committee as a volunteer for the first time. His motivation is clear: “I don't just want to stand by and watch, I want to actively work with others to have an impact. Our TSG needs more closeness, more identification and real pride again - that's what I want to work towards.” Henssler will bring new perspectives, a strong sense of responsibility, and a committment to honest and sincere engagement.

What he particularly values about TSG is the way it combines sporting performance with societal responsibility. The modern infrastructure, the targeted support for the juniors, and the achievements in women's and youth football show just how much potential this club has. Then there's the social engagement - whether it's to do with sustainability, integration or education. “A club like TSG can be a role model - on the pitch, in the region, and beyond.”

He also sees obvious challenges: in the past few months, the emotional closeness between the club and its members has noticeably decreased. Henssler wants to strengthen this connection again - through clear communication, open formats for participation, and greater transparency. “People want to feel like they belong. They want to know that their opinion matters. And they want to be taken seriously. For that, there needs to be new impetus.”

A particular focus of his application is the improvement of the stadium experience. The TSG home games need to become experiences that move people and bring them together again. The goal is to bring the enthusiasm back - in the stands, and in the club in general. One aspect of that is significantly increasing the number of members. “We need lots of people. A growing club is a club that's alive - and everyone who joins us makes us stronger.”

Henssler brings with him professional experience of strategic planning, project management and team leadership. He wants to use these skills to structurally strengthen TSG - with modern processes, clear goals, and an openness to listening to the people who make up the club. “I'm putting myself forward because I'm convinced that it isn't administration, but cooperation that makes a strong club grow - on equal terms, with composure, and with real engagement.”

Note: Christoph Henssler can only be elected if, at the beginning of the general meeting, Item 4 on the agenda (“Change to constitution”) is pushed back and the election of the second chairperson is brought forward. A motion to this effect must be passed by majority vote at the beginning of the general meeting.