Michael Preetz returns to professional football as an official. The 56-year-old former national player and long-time manager of Hertha BSC is the new managing director of the MSV Duisburg. The third division club announced this on Friday; “Bild” had previously reported on it. Preetz also played for the Meiderichers: The Düsseldorf native wore the MSV jersey for two seasons from the summer of 1992 and played 71 competitive games. The Duisburg team did not provide any information about the term of Preetz’s contract. From now on he should help to save the Kprlub from relegation from professional football. MSV is currently in 19th and penultimate place in the table. In November, according to “Bild”, Preetz had rejected the position as sports director in Duisburg; he had been considered a preferred candidate for some time. “The club has an impressive history and I am determined to roll up my sleeves and do my part to lead the MSV on a successful path,” Preetz was quoted as saying in the club’s statement. His main task will not only be the sporting management of the club, but also the management of the entire organization, the statement said. This particularly includes the reorganization of the structures as a successor to the departing dual management Peter Mohnhaupt and Thomas Wulf.
After Preetz ended his professional career in 2003 and made seven appearances for the national team, he was initially assistant to the management at Hertha BSC before being promoted to managing director of sports and communications in mid-2009. He held the position until the separation almost three years ago. (dpa)