Hannover 96 have announced the appointment of Jonas Boldt as their new Managing Director of Sport, effective June 1, 2026. The club confirmed Boldt has signed a contract that will run until the summer of 2029, encompassing responsibility for both the first team and the academy. He will be joined in the Hannover 96 hierarchy by Henning Bindzus, who will serve as commercial managing director.
Boldt brings a wealth of experience in German football administration to the Lower Saxony club. He spent twelve years at Bayer Leverkusen, beginning in a scouting role in 2007 and progressing to the positions of sporting manager and ultimately sporting director before departing in 2019. During his time at Leverkusen, he was involved in the acquisition of several key players who contributed to the club’s consistent presence in European competition.
Prior to joining Hannover, Boldt served as sporting director at Hamburger SV for five years, from 2019 to 2024. He oversaw the club’s promotion back to the Bundesliga, a significant achievement after a period of decline for the historic club. His tenure at HSV was noted for a focus on developing young talent and implementing a clear sporting strategy, though he ultimately left the club following their failure to secure promotion in the 2023-24 season.
Ralf Nestler, chairman of Hannover 96’s supervisory board, expressed the club’s confidence in Boldt’s appointment. According to Nestler, Boldt’s track record of shaping the sporting development of clubs over many years and his “modern, future-oriented way of thinking” made him an ideal candidate. The appointment signals Hannover 96’s intention to build a sustainable and competitive squad, focusing on long-term planning and youth development. This move is expected to provide stability and direction to the club’s sporting operations as they aim to establish themselves as a consistent force in the 2. Bundesliga.
