Finished is the status of top referee Deniz Aytekin.
In a significant development for German football, three of the top referees in the Bundesliga will be hanging up their whistles after the upcoming season. Deniz Aytekin, Tobias Welz, and Frank Willenborg have announced their retirements, marking the end of an era for prominent referees in the league.
Deniz Aytekin, a former FIFA referee, has been officiating in the Bundesliga since 2008. Over the years, he has refereed in 241 matches. Aytekin is a three-time recipient of Germany's "Referee of the Year" award, in 2019, 2022, and 2024. His calm and communicative manner on the pitch has earned him recognition and respect from players and fans alike.
Tobias Welz, who joined the Bundesliga in 2010, has built a reputation as a consistent and experienced referee. Last season, he wore the RefCam for the first time. In addition, he officiated the Pokal final in 2020. Welz has so far officiated 143 games in the top flight.
Frank Willenborg, who joined the Bundesliga's top flight in 2016, has been active in all three professional leagues and the DFB-Pokal. Although specific individual achievements are not widely highlighted, his decision to retire alongside Aytekin and Welz signifies the end of an era for prominent Bundesliga referees. Willenborg was able to officiate his 100th Bundesliga game at the end of the previous season, a milestone that makes him proud.
Peter Sippel, the sporting director of the Bundesliga referees, praised the three officials as "outstanding referee personalities". Alex Feuerherdt, head of communication at the DFB referee GmbH, stated that the three will be rebuilt and their return will be discussed for a suitable time for the performance test.
The three referees have brought "a lot of quality" to the team of referees, following in the footsteps of predecessors like Dr. Felix Brych, who recently retired. This season, the Bundesliga referees are facing standard extra-time games, a challenge that these experienced officials would have undoubtedly handled with their usual professionalism.
However, the three referees will be unable to complete their performance test due to injuries. Despite this setback, their contributions to the Bundesliga's refereeing landscape will not be forgotten. Their retirements mark a significant change in the league, and the search for their successors is already underway.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Bundesliga refereeing landscape, the three retiring referees, Deniz Aytekin, Tobias Welz, and Frank Willenborg, might consider using their experience and communicative skills to foster community engagement through vocational training programs or employment initiatives within the sports sector, specifically in football. In the meantime, the void left by their retirements will be filled by upcoming referees who aim to maintain the high standards set by these prominent figures in German football.
