Aberdeen Football Club appoints Lutz Pfannenstiel as its new Sporting Director.

The vastly experienced German will officially take up post on 10^th November, subject to visa formalities being completed.

Aberdeen FC chairman Dave Cormack said:

“We are pleased to welcome Lutz and his significant experience to Pittodrie.

“With extensive coaching, scouting, young player development and leadership expertise gained across different roles and cultures, we believe Lutz will be a catalyst in the Club’s quest to deliver its football aspirations over the next few years.

“In particular, his technical knowledge, academy development experience and global recruitment network were key factors in the Board selecting him for this critical role, as we strive   to align consistent on-field success with our player-development model.

“Lutz will oversee and be responsible for all football and performance areas of Aberdeen FC to deliver on our ambitious objectives in what, today, has become a highly competitive Scottish football league.”

Pfannenstiel joins the Dons from St. Louis CITY SC in Major League Soccer, where he served for five years as Sporting Director.

There, he built the entire sporting structure from the ground up – overseeing the creation of the academy, the MLS NEXT Pro team, and a state-of-the-art training facility.

He was instrumental in St. Louis’ remarkable debut campaign, helping guide them to become the first MLS expansion club to win a regular-season conference title in 2023.

Prior to his move to the United States, Pfannenstiel spent two seasons as Sporting Director at Fortuna Düsseldorf, helping the Bundesliga side achieve a 10th-place finish in 2018-19 – their highest league position in almost three decades.

Before transitioning into sports management, Lutz enjoyed a decorated and famously nomadic playing career as a goalkeeper, featuring in more than 500 matches across every FIFA confederation, the first player in history to achieve that feat, including clubs like Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon and Vancouver Whitecaps.

His extensive coaching experience spans multiple continents, including roles with national teams and professional clubs across diverse football cultures worldwide, such as Norway, Namibia, and Armenia as well as serving as a coach educator for FIFA and the German Football Association (DFB).

Lutz later spent nine years at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim as Head of International Relations & Scouting, where he played a central role in the recruitment of future EPL stars such as Roberto Firmino and Joelinton.

Lutz Pfannenstiel commented:

“Aberdeen FC has what many clubs around the world can only dream of – that is rich tradition, a storied history and a true football soul.

“I look forward to bringing my depth of experience in football to a Scottish city and region that lives for the game and look forward to being an active part of this great community.

“Having spent time getting to know the Club over the past two years, I’m inheriting a very strong infrastructure and team of staff at both Pittodrie and Cormack Park. So, for me, this is about building from a strong basis with one goal in mind, which is to elevate Aberdeen at all levels and make our fans proud of the Club.”