Hans-Joachim Watzke

Hans-Joachim "Aki" Watzke (born 21 June 1959, Marsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a German businessman and football official.

Alongside chairman Reinhard Rauball and CFO Thomas Treß, Watzke is credited with having saved the club from bankruptcy.

He restructured and streamlined the club, made rigid cost cuts, and operated a clear financial plan.

[5] In 2006, in order to reduce debt, the Westfalenstadion was renamed "Signal Iduna Park" after a local insurance company (the naming rights agreement runs until 2031).

His replacement was announced to be Lars Ricken[6] On 14 December 2021, Watzke was elected as first vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB).