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The German Football Association (DFB) will no longer actively promote its men’s national team with the name “Die Mannschaft”. This was unanimously decided by the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Meeting of DFB GmbH & Co. KG on Thursday, July 28 at their meeting on the DFB campus in Frankfurt.
This decision was based on an analysis of the brand used since 2015, which was based, among other things, on evaluations of previous and current representative surveys as well as selected expert interviews. The results show a recent increase in interest in the team and greater satisfaction with their performances as well as increasing sympathy values for “Die Mannschaft”. However, there was no uniform picture, especially with regard to the further use of the name.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said, “Football connects, that applies to an e-youth team as well as to the men’s national team, which represents the whole country and is as colourful and diverse as Germany itself. Every fan can and should find himself in it. Surveys and analyses have shown that the name ‘Die Mannschaft’ has a high degree of recognition and is particularly recognized abroad. He stands for values such as team spirit and success. But it is also a fact that it is sometimes viewed critically and emotionally discussed in fan circles in this country. More important than the name, however, is the appearance of the national team anyway. That she lives on and off the pitch the values that the DFB stands for, that she shows attitude, that she inspires her fans, that she forms a unity with them. In this respect, I have full confidence in Hansi Flick, Oliver Bierhoff and the players who impressively succeeded in the restart last year.”
Alexander Wehrle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DFB GmbH & Co. KG, said, “We have extensively analysed and intensively discussed the brand name ‘Die Mannschaft’. Opinions differ not only among the fans, but also within the DFB. This is a clear sign of the polarization of a name behind which everyone is supposed to gather. Hansi Flick’s team is there for everyone, and everyone can call it whatever he or she wants. After all, it doesn’t matter so much what the team is called, but what it’s made of. And we agree: we have an inspiring national team with a lot of potential and fascinating characters.”
