Dufner forms connections with former acquaintances in new leadership roles.
Check Out the Latest at VfL Bochum: New Talent Center Director Announced
Bochum's beloved football club, VfL Bochum, has added a fresh face to their team. Sports Director Dufner and Coach Hecking are already acquainted with the newest addition to the squad.
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Since Dirk Dufner took up the Sports Director position at VfL Bochum in April, he's been focusing on getting a feel for the club and contemplating necessary changes. As of June 1st, Johannes Waigand has been appointed as Player Management Director for the club. Now, it's time to introduce the new head for the youth performance center, affectionately known by fans as the Talent Center.
Spoiler alert: We revealed Pablo Thiam's name as the new youth leader in our newsletter earlier. The VfL finally made it official this afternoon. Thiam has gained a reputation in Bundesliga youth development, having served as the head of the youth department at VfL Wolfsburg from 2018 to 2021, followed by a similar position at Hertha BSC from 2021 to 2023. Notably, Thiam and Dufner collaborated together during his time at Hertha.
The Backstory of VfL Bochum's New Leader
"Pablo Thiam has earned a solid reputation both as a sports director and the head of two top German youth departments," stresses Dufner. "His extensive network and knowledge will propel our youth development efforts towards a higher level."
Coach Dieter Hecking is no stranger to Thiam, as they worked together at VfL Wolfsburg. In his playing career, Thiam spent five years with German clubs, including time with VfL Wolfsburg, and played over 300 games in the Bundesliga. On top of that, Thiam represented the Guinean national team in 31 games.
Thiam's Goals for VfL Bochum
"My discussions with Dirk Dufner, Ilja Kaenzig, and Dieter Hecking have been open and collaborative," shares Thiam. "I'm thrilled to join such a club with rich history and significance to this community. My goal is to strengthen the existing youth development programs, construct sustainable systems, and pave the way for homegrown talents to progress into the VfL senior team."
Some Tidbits About VfL Bochum's Squad:
- U21 Coach Butscher's New Focus
- A Close Look: The New VfL Leadership
- New Faces: This is the New VfL Presidency
- Key Insights: The VfL Member Meeting Outcome
Thiam is taking over from Heiko Butscher, who previously served as both the Sporting Director of the Talent Center and U21 coach. Now that the U21 team has been promoted to the Regionalliga, Butscher can focus solely on his coaching duties. Butscher himself had emphasized the importance of positioning VfL better in the transition area and improving the process for training young players to become professional second and first league players. Dufner's arrival has brought momentum to this initiative.
The Team Behind the Talent Program:* Timo Saviano serves as Head of Administration* Dominik Horsch acts as Head of Strategy and Development
More VfL Bochum Insights:* VfL Bochum: What's next for the club's scouting?
The new head of VfL Bochum's Talent Center, Pablo Thiam, has a wealth of experience in German football leagues, having worked in youth development at VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC. Thiam's appointment is a significant stride towards enhancing the club's youth development programs and nurturing homegrown talents for the senior team, as suggested by his goals for the club.
