The European Club Association (ECA) is proud to announce the introduction of the Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Award for Club Management Excellence, established to celebrate outstanding achievements in football club management.
This prestigious award is named after Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the first leader of ECA, and a pivotal figure in shaping the modern European football landscape. The award recognises exceptional governance, innovation, and operational excellence that drives club success and strengthens community impact.
In its inaugural year, the award has been presented to VfL Bochum 1848 in recognition of their visionary “Advisory Board of the Future” initiative. This innovative programme, aimed at strengthening governance, sustainability, and long-term strategic planning within the club, exemplifies the forward-thinking values that this award seeks to celebrate.
The prize was announced, and awarded, at ECA’s 31st General Assembly last week in Athens, Greece, its biggest-ever member gathering, making it one of the largest and most significant football conventions globally.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: A Visionary Leader and Advocate for European Clubs
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was the first Chairman of ECA, holding the position of Chairman from 2008 until 2017. His influence on ECA and the European football community remains a driving force behind this award.
ECA Chairman, Nasser al-Khelaïfi, commented on the introduction of the award: “I am delighted that we are recognising again the remarkable achievements of the first leader of ECA, and now Honorary Chairman, Karl-Heinz. He began the journey of ECA 16 years ago and laid the foundations for everything we have achieved today. His contributions will continue to inspire future generations of club leaders. I am so proud that ECA has built on his work – a more inclusive, more representative, more impactful organisation than ever before.”
Under the leadership of Mr Rummenigge, ECA transformed the football landscape by providing a unified voice for European clubs for the very first time. His passion for advocating for clubs and their players led to ground-breaking reforms that continue to benefit the entire football community.
During his tenure, Mr Rummenigge achieved significant milestones, including:
- Pioneering reforms to the International Match Calendar to better protect clubs’ interests.
- Securing funding from major international tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup to benefit clubs.
- Introducing the first insurance programmes for players on international duty, ensuring their protection during crucial competitions.
As the first ECA leader to establish a collaborative partnership with UEFA, Karl-Heinz laid the groundwork for a stronger, more unified European football ecosystem. His strategic vision empowered clubs to think bigger, act stronger, and stand together in the pursuit of excellence. Under his leadership, ECA grew from 137 to 236 member clubs, a testament to the enduring influence of his vision.
Mr Rummenigge was named Honorary Chairman of ECA in 2017 to acknowledge his achievements. His legacy remains deeply embedded in the fabric of the organisation.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: “I am deeply honoured that this award has been named after me, especially in recognition of the fact that the topic of club management is of vital importance to football. Developing football clubs into sustainably managed institutions is one of the most important developments of our time, and it really does humble me that this legacy will continue through this award. I would like to thank the ECA for its ongoing commitment to the benefit of European clubs and in particular its chairman Nasser al-Khelaïfi for this incredible gesture and for continuing on this shared path. I would also like to congratulate VfL Bochum on this first award.”
Recognising VfL Bochum 1848’s “Advisory Board of the Future”
The first recipient of the Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Award for Club Management Excellence, VfL Bochum 1848, is being celebrated for their bold and forward-looking approach to club governance. The “Advisory Board of the Future” initiative reflects a commitment to innovation, ensuring that the club remains competitive, resilient, and sustainable in the long term.
ECA also celebrated the achievements of several other clubs for the following:
- ECA COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD, for Tottenham Hotspur for their Stadium's F1 Karting Experience.
- ECA FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT AWARD, to FC Bayern München Frauen for their Women's Mentoring Programme.
- ECA VISITING SUPPORTERS EXPERIENCE AWARD, for AC Sparta Praha for their Europa League Away Experience.
- ECA SUSTAINABLE GOVERNANCE AWARD, for Liverpool FC for their Sustainability Programme.
- ECA SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD, for AIK for their Education Programme.
- ECA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARD, for VfL Wolfsburg for their Microplastic Filters Initiative.
For further information on the ECA Awards please visit the website.