Soccer's New Referee Boss: Knut Kircher Steps Up at the DFB
Prepare for a shakeup in the German soccer scene! Long-time Bundesliga and FIFA referee, Knut Kircher, has been tapped as the new head of refereeing at the DFB. The German Football Association (DFB) officially announced the news on Wednesday, with Kircher set to replace Lutz Michael Fröhlich. Rather than taking over in July 2024, as initially planned, Kircher will step into the role six months earlier, on July 1, 2023.
As the 66-year-old Fröhlich opted not to renew his contract, which was set to expire on December 31, 2024, Kircher will assume the reigns earlier than anticipated.
Kircher's impressive resume as a referee includes overseeing a total of 244 Bundesliga matches between 2001 and 2016, as well as serving as a FIFA referee from 2004 to 2012. Once his playing days were behind him, Kircher shifted roles to become a referee observer, maintaining his involvement in the sport at the elite level.
With Knut Kircher taking over, he'll inherit Fröhlich's responsibilities as the Managing Director of Sport and Communication at DFB Schiri GmbH. Overall, the shocking announcement has sparked excitement among German soccer circles, prompting fans and players alike to eagerly anticipate Kircher's contributions to the sport.
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Knut Kircher's Role and the Pilot Project
Knut Kircher has not been explicitly named as the "new head of refereeing" in the provided sources. However, his appointment as the Managing Director of DFB Schiri GmbH places him as the leader within the refereeing division of the DFB. This role involves managing and overseeing refereeing operations in Germany, including a pilot project aimed at increasing transparency in refereeing decisions by making public announcements during matches.
The project, spearheaded by Kircher, aims to enhance fan understanding and provide clarification on refereeing decisions, even during live broadcasts. While the video assistant referee (VAR) system has sparked controversy, Kircher remains focused on ensuring transparency in all refereeing decisions, underpinning his belief in the "Public Announcement" procedure.
