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For almost a quarter of a century, Patrick Fabian has got to know VfL Bochum 1848 in many facets. The 36-year-old was trained in the VfL youth team, won the West German championship with the U19s and was in the final of the German championship before finding his way to the VfL professionals via the second team. Well over 300 games for the blue and whites are documented, 157 for the professionals in the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and DFB Cup alone. He is the first German professional footballer to make a comeback even after the fourth cruciate ligament rupture before ending his active career in 2020 and immediately switching to official level.
With his activities as assistant to the management and as head of licensing, he reversed roles in order to be able to help shape the sporting structures at VfL. Since September 2022, he has been responsible for the fortunes of the professional team as well as the Talentwerk and women’s and girls’ football as Managing Director Sport. Now, after avoiding relegation, Patrick Fabian will end his work at VfL Bochum 1848.
“For me as sporting director, the right moment has come to say goodbye to VfL Bochum after a total of 24 years,” said Patrick Fabian. “Despite all the challenges, we were able to achieve our goal together last season with a real show of strength. The fourth year in a row in the Bundesliga is extraordinary, this has only happened once again since 1992, in the mid-00s.”
Fabian explains the reasons as follows: “After a personal review of an extremely intensive year and the evaluation of all the dynamics of the last weeks and months, I have come to the conclusion that there should now be a new impetus at the sporting management level. That’s why I’m leaving the club, because it’s ultimately above everything.”
Looking back is not difficult for him, looking ahead makes him optimistic. “I have given everything for the blue and white colours for a large part of my life in different functions or positions and have always tried to represent the values of our club in the best possible way. I will always remain a VfL player and would like to thank all my companions and the loyal VfL fans and wish my club all the very best for the future.”
In recent years, steady growth and development in the sporting sector have been or are visible and measurable. Staying in the league in 2023 opened up new financial leeway for the entire club, and it is further stabilising through relegation in 2024 and a fourth year in the Bundesliga.
Patrick Fabian has initiated and implemented the creation of new structures in sport, both in the licensing area and in scouting. In addition, he pushed the realignment of the Talentwerk as the foundation of the club, adapted processes and worked towards the founding of a new U21. In addition, the professionalisation of the women’s and girls’ section at VfL was visibly promoted.
“We all know about the great importance that Patrick Fabian has for VfL and that VfL also has for him,” says Hans-Peter Villis, chairman of the board of VfL Bochum 1848. About two years ago, Patrick Fabian took up the challenge at management level in an extraordinarily difficult situation and took over the post of sporting director. Under his sporting leadership, we managed to stay in the league twice. We personally wish him all the best. Patrick Fabian is and will remain a Bochum boy and is always welcome at Castroper Straße!”
