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This week’s FBIN Careers Update features major leadership changes across the football industry. From key departures at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and 1. FC Köln to new appointments at UNAFUT, DFL, Fanatics, and FC Bayern, clubs and organizations continue to strengthen their strategic direction. Here’s a look at the latest career moves shaping the business of football.
Andrew Rudd departs Manchester United
Andrew Rudd has announced his departure from Manchester United after more than ten years at the club. Most recently serving as Commercial Finance Director, he played a key role in the strategic review with Raine Group, cost-saving initiatives with Interpath, and major partnerships with Snapdragon and Adidas. Before joining United, he held senior finance roles at RSM Tenon and Baker Tilly. Rudd is currently traveling and plans to explore new opportunities upon his return in March.
Jose Carlos Loaiza Gallego joins UNAFUT
Jose Carlos Loaiza Gallego has joined UNAFUT as Executive Director. He moved from LALIGA, where he spent over four years in international development, most recently as Strategic International Development Senior Manager. During his time at LALIGA, he also served as a delegate for Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and the Baltic countries. Loaiza Gallego expressed his excitement about the move and aims to help UNAFUT reach new levels.
Felix Rentschler joins DFL
Felix Rentschler joins the DFL as Head of Virtual Bundesliga. He spent the last seven years at 1. FSV Mainz 05, where he progressed from intern to Team Lead Marketing and played a key role in establishing the club’s eSports division. Beyond eSports, he contributed to various marketing initiatives and fan engagement strategies. Now, he looks forward to applying his experience in football and eSports on a larger scale at the DFL.
FC Bayern strengthens international leadership
FC Bayern has restructured its international operations, appointing Peter Romics (Director of Global Commerce) and Benjamin Hoeneß (Director of Global Partnerships) as Managing Directors of FC Bayern International GmbH. They will jointly oversee the club’s global activities and report directly to board member Michael Diederich.
Additionally, Julia Willer moves to the club’s New York office, where she will serve as Managing Director of FC Bayern München LLC alongside Dee Kundra. Her focus will include preparations for the upcoming Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Adrian Lis joins Fanatics
Adrian Lis joins Fanatics as Manager Athlete Partnerships, focusing on securing licenses, IP, and marketing rights for football players in the German Bundesliga. He previously worked at Infront Lab as Senior Manager Sales, managing software sales for fan engagement and streaming solutions. Before that, he spent over three years at Eintracht Frankfurt, overseeing key partnerships in the finance sector, including Deutsche Bank. Lis also brings extensive experience from SPORTFIVE, where he worked in global partnerships, including as Manager of Global Partnership Solutions.
FC Köln and Markus Rejek part ways early
1. FC Köln and Markus Rejek have mutually agreed to end their collaboration ahead of schedule. The former Managing Director of Marketing and Sales had been in the role since November 2022 and previously announced that he would not extend his contract, which was set to run until June 2025, for personal reasons. Over the past weeks, both parties worked on a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Francois Guerin departs Real Madrid
Francois Guerin has left Real Madrid after three years as Chief Content Officer. In this role, he played a major part in modernizing the club’s media operations, including tripling social media growth, launching RM Play, and securing record-breaking content licensing deals. Guerin expressed gratitude to his colleagues and leadership for their support and looks forward to his next professional chapter after a short break.
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