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PoliticsMerz reportedly to appoint ex-national player Nadine Keßler as sports minister
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (70, CDU) is reportedly bringing former German women's national team player Nadine Keßler (38) into his government as State Minister for Sports and Voluntary Work, according to Handelsblatt. Keßler, a former FIFA World Player of the Year (2014) and European champion (2013), would succeed Christiane Schenderlein, who is moving to the Federal Ministry of Health. Keßler has worked as UEFA Director for Women's Football since 2017 after ending her playing career early due to knee injuries. The appointment has not yet been officially confirmed by Merz, UEFA, or the federal government, which stated the new appointment will be announced 'promptly and quickly'. Keßler previously declined speculation about succeeding Oliver Bierhoff at the German Football Association in 2023.
Source report
Surprising personnel move in German politics. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (70, CDU) is reportedly bringing former national player Nadine Keßler (38) into his government team, according to Handelsblatt. The move would give the federal government a touch of professional football.
Keßler is expected to serve as State Minister for Sports and Voluntary Work, succeeding Christiane Schenderlein, who is moving to the Federal Ministry of Health as Parliamentary State Secretary. This was announced on Monday.
Appointment Not Yet Confirmed
Keßler's new role has not yet been officially confirmed. Neither Merz nor UEFA have commented on the move. The only statement from the federal government following Schenderlein's departure indicated that the new appointment would be announced "promptly and quickly."
Keßler's Football Career
The choice is said to have fallen on Keßler, who currently works as UEFA Director for Women's Football. She had to end her sporting career unexpectedly early in 2016 due to severe knee injuries.
Previously, Keßler was one of the most successful German players in history:
- Club achievements: Four-time German champion with Turbine Potsdam and VfL Wolfsburg
- Champions League: Three titles with both clubs
- DFB-Pokal: Two-time winner
- International success: European Championship title in 2013 with the German women's national team
- International caps: 29 matches in the DFB jersey
- Individual honor: Awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or as World Player of the Year in 2014
Move to Politics
Now the step into politics is likely to follow, meaning she would leave UEFA, where she has worked since 2017. Just three years ago, her name was speculated as a potential successor to Oliver Bierhoff at the German Football Association, but in 2023 she decided against the role.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Merz reportedly brings former national team player Nadine Keßler into cabinet as sports minister