Rhein-Neckar Löwen Restructure Sporting Department: Uwe Gensheimer Appointed Director of Sport
Rhein-Neckar Löwen are reorganising their sporting structures as part of a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the connection between youth development and the professional team. Club legend Uwe Gensheimer will take over as Director of Sport, while Andre Bechtold assumes strategic responsibility for the club’s sporting operations.
The German Bundesliga club has announced a comprehensive restructuring designed to improve cooperation across all levels of the organisation, with particular emphasis on integrating young talents into the senior squad.
Andre Bechtold, in his role as Supervisory Board Member for Sport and sporting supervisor, will oversee the club’s strategic sporting development. Together with Gensheimer, he will shape the long-term direction of Rhein-Neckar Löwen.
Gensheimer, one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history, returns to a leading position after previously serving as Sporting Director from the beginning of the 2024/25 season until April this year.
In his new role, the former German international will work closely with Bechtold and head coach Michel Abt, focusing primarily on squad development and the integration of young players from the club’s successful youth academy.
Changes to the Coaching Staff
The restructuring also includes several important appointments within the coaching and development departments.
Martin Berger, previously head coach of the U19 team and currently youth coordinator of the Junglöwen, will become assistant coach of the professional team. His responsibilities will include video analysis, tactical preparation and the implementation of a unified playing philosophy throughout the club.
Niklas Domanski, 30, will join the professional coaching staff as fitness coach. Having overseen the physical preparation of the club’s youth teams for the past two years, he will now contribute to the athletic development of both senior and young players.
Former German international Holger Löhr will replace Berger as U19 head coach. Löhr has played an important role in the club’s youth development programme and will continue preparing talented players for the transition to senior handball.
The club believes these appointments will strengthen the relationship between its youth academy, third-division team and Bundesliga squad.
Bechtold: “Our Long-Term Goal Is to Compete at the Top Again”
Andre Bechtold explained the vision behind the restructuring:
“The Rhein-Neckar Löwen have excellent foundations to position themselves for sustainable success in the future. Our goal is to fulfil our potential again, further develop Rhein-Neckar Löwen as a club and establish an even closer connection between the successful work of the Junglöwen and the professional team.
We want to follow a clear sporting path, consistently develop young players and, at the same time, ensure the competitiveness of our professional team. We are committed to continuous development, with the long-term goal of challenging at the top again.
Uwe Gensheimer will play an important role in this process. He embodies the values of our club like hardly anyone else and will use his sporting expertise to help shape the future of the Löwen in a key position.”
Gensheimer: “We Can Build a Successful Future”
Uwe Gensheimer welcomed his new responsibilities:
“I am delighted to be able to help develop the Löwen in my new role, once again working closely with the team. I am convinced that, with the new staff and structure, we can make the right adjustments for a successful future.”
Head coach Michel Abt also expressed his satisfaction with the changes:
“I am pleased that we have managed to establish a solid structure around the sporting department in such a short period of time. With so much expertise and Löwen DNA, we are very well positioned for the future. Now it is up to us as a team to focus fully on handball.”
With the new sporting structure, Rhein-Neckar Löwen are placing their trust in continuity, club identity and youth development as they seek to rebuild their competitiveness and eventually return to the top of German handball.
