Dieter Frey Appointed as New Sporting Director of 1. FC Nürnberg

1. FC Nürnberg has officially named Dieter Frey as its new board member for sports, filling the vacancy left by Joti Chatzialexiou, who is departing for Eintracht Frankfurt. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant internal promotion for the 54-year-old, who has served as the director of the club's youth development center since February 2026.

Frey’s history with the club spans over two decades, beginning in 2001 when he joined as a professional player. After concluding his playing career in 2004, he pursued a career in education, working as a teacher for mathematics, economics, and law at the Bertolt-Brecht-Schule in Nürnberg. Throughout this period, he remained deeply involved with the club, holding various coaching and training roles within the youth academy.

The appointment is viewed by club leadership as a strategic move to maintain continuity. Peter Meier, the chairman of the supervisory board, described Frey as the "logical and best possible solution" for the position. Meier praised Frey’s long-standing contributions to the club's youth system, noting his ability to foster talent that successfully transitions into the professional squad.

In recent years, 1. FC Nürnberg has gained a reputation as a productive incubator for young players, generating significant transfer revenue through the development of athletes such as Can Uzun, Finn Jeltsch, Stefanos Tzimas, and Caspar Jander. The club intends for Frey to build upon this established framework, ensuring the team remains competitive while continuing its focus on sustainable talent cultivation.

Reflecting on his new appointment, Frey expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the supervisory board. "I look forward to the challenge of shaping a sustainably successful future for the club together with my board colleagues and all employees," Frey stated. He emphasized that his deep identification with the organization, which began during his time as a player, remains a core motivation for his work.

Frey’s professional trajectory within the club accelerated significantly in recent years. He transitioned to a full-time role in the summer of 2024, initially serving as the sporting director for the youth department and overseeing coach development. Reports indicate that he had been offered a board-level position previously but declined before eventually accepting the leadership of the youth performance center earlier this year.

To introduce himself to the fanbase and discuss his vision for the future of the club, Frey is scheduled to participate in a live stream on the official 1. FC Nürnberg YouTube channel this Wednesday at 6 p.m. During the session, he will address questions from club members and supporters regarding his new responsibilities and the strategic direction of the team.