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Shirt-sleeved guy: The longtime OFC fan Sebastian Möller has been responsible for “everything but sport” as managing director of finance and organization since July 1st. In his East Hessian homeland he is also a “hobby farmer”. © cd
Sebastian Möller is a fan of the regional soccer team Kickers Offenbach and has been one of the two managing directors of the OFC’s Profi GmbH since July 1st. In the interview he talks about his new job, bloody feet and the rapper Sido.
Offenbach – The story sounds almost too cheesy to be true: First a fan, then a competitor and now one of the decision-makers at your favorite club. We’re talking about Sebastian Möller. The 40-year-old has been one of the two managing directors of Offenbacher Kickers’ professional GmbH since July 1st. And this despite the fact that he had initially taken a completely different career path. However, the OFC played a significant role early on in his life. In the interview he talks about blood blisters, a time-consuming premiere and the comparison with a German rapper.
You were most recently the manager of league rivals SG Barockstadt Fulda-Lehnerz. Are you now Managing Director of Finance and Organization at OFC? Which tasks have been eliminated or added?
It’s almost impossible for something to be added (laughs). At the Kickers I’m responsible for everything except sport, which is a lot less than in Fulda in terms of subject areas. However, finances and organization are of course more extensive at the Kickers, so I certainly won’t get bored.
What is the first impression after a week of OFC?
Even before I started working, I spent two or three days at the office during my vacation. People work there who put their heart and soul into it and work hard for the OFC. A jack of all trades like Thomas Adler, Ulrich Sauer as ruler of the numbers or Marius Schnelker as press spokesman, plus now new Dominic Stumpf and Hakan Ögüt, who also have Kickers in their blood. Finances and marketing will have priority for me first, then I look into every process, but of course that will take time.
So far you only knew OFC as a fan. Where was your place in the stadium?
I started in block two, at some point I’m on what was then the Henninger Grandstand. In the old stadium I was already standing in every block. Now I’ll be in the VIP area at home games, show presence, take care of the sponsors. Away from home I’ll definitely be partially in the block.
When and how did you become a Kickers supporter?
When I was 14 or 15, I started getting interested in football. I watched a Bayern Munich game against Dortmund and it didn’t catch me. Here in East Hesse there are also many Eintracht fans. One took me to the stadium. I didn’t like that either. It was different in Offenbach. I still remember the first game clearly.
When was it?
1999. OFC played under floodlights in front of 21,000 spectators against 1.FC Köln. It was 0-0 until Goran Curko punched the ball into the goal himself from a cross at the last minute. Nevertheless, there was a great feeling in the stadium. Then it went down to the regional league. First day of play in Trier, a legendary train ride. Since then I’ve been a regular fan.
The games in Fulda were home games for you…
I remember one thing in particular. That was on a Sunday. My parents drove me there. However, there was no bus going back, nothing. And it was damn hot. I ran the more than 20 kilometers. I had blood blisters, but I knew I was suitable for the Bundeswehr (laughs).
There is no “nine to five”, but you’re done when the task is done.
You were a soldier for twelve years. How did that happen? Only found basic military service and liked it?
No, I signed up directly, was with the army pilots in Niederstetten, but also abroad. An incredibly great time that I don’t want to miss, that shaped me and also defines my personality.
How is that expressed?
I’m a little more direct here and there. Team spirit is extremely important to me. You need clear structures and clear hierarchies. If something doesn’t fit, you have to intervene. Everyone has to know where the limits are and to follow the order. There is no “nine to five”, but you’re done when the task is done. But I have already established that we have the right people in the office for this.
How did you get into football professionally?
The topic just interested me. It quickly became clear to me that, as a complete career changer, I had to start at the bottom. Borussia Fulda was on the doorstep and was a group league team at the time. I called and offered my help. They must have thought, let the weirdo do it. Then I could help to develop the club step by step.
What were the highlights?
Overall, it was a great experience despite a few setbacks. Fulda does not have a large donor, but many small sponsors. In 2021, the regional league promotion was denied, a year later it succeeded at the last minute. The first year in the regional league was great – including the games against the OFC. You don’t often get the chance to experience something like this.
They have a reputation for getting down to business and not being too bad for anything. Do you share this assessment?
Let others judge that (laughs). One of my first tasks in Fulda was to sand the field because there was nobody else there. I looked it up on my phone to see how it works. It still took six hours. I had the sunburn of my life – and maybe sunstroke too. After that, however, things went faster. Before a home game against Aalen, we all pitched in and cleared the pitch of snow. In many areas nobody can tell me anything because I’ve done everything. You become humble and also learn to appreciate the help of the volunteers.
So the OFC should become a participatory club again?
The OFC is a big club, but you also have to acknowledge the reality. He has been in the regional league for ten years, you have to be able to classify that accordingly. But especially in the league you can tackle things. If you have people who want to get involved, that’s worth its weight in gold. The “together create mers” is also part of the DNA of this club. It’s something when 50 or 60 fans get involved, for example to organize a table football game or – as in the past – a Christmas market.
But that’s probably not the top priority.
Marketing and sales tops the list. Talk to the sponsors and partners, create new concepts. With all love for nostalgia: At the end of the day, the financial aspects have to be right.
The OFC is about higher numbers than in Fulda. How is everything one size bigger?
Certainly some things will be more relaxed, others more challenging. But root canal treatment is more fun than organizing a safety game on a large construction site in Fulda (laughs), even if it’s “only” for 2,500 spectators. At OFC I have more manpower. The employees at the office all have enormous self-motivation. The burn. It all just needs to be brought together and coordinated a bit, but the basic substance here is great.
Finally: In Fulda you were called Sido (Editor’s note: name of a German rapper). How did that happen?
Dominik Rummel invented the nickname because Sido and I look alike. That was a tit for tat. He owed me the title “King of Fulda” because I called it a king’s transfer.
Christian Düncher conducted the interview
OFC dress rehearsal at third division promoted Preußen Münster
The Offenbacher Kickers have agreed on another test match. On July 28th (6.30 p.m.) they will play at newly promoted third division team Preußen Münster. The game is also the dress rehearsal for the opening game in the Regionalliga Südwest (4th to 6th August). (CD)
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