Alexander Rosen

Alexander Rosen (born 10 April 1979) is a German football executive and former player who was most recently the director of football for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Playing career

Rosen made his Bundesliga debut for Eintracht Frankfurt on 20 February 1999 when he came on as a substitute for Frank Gerster in the 86th minute against TSV 1860 München. While under contract with Frankfurt, Rosen went on loan with FC Augsburg and VfL Osnabrück. After his return to Frankfurt, he played in three more matches in the 2. Bundesliga before leaving for 1. FC Saarbrücken prior to the 2003–04 season. After a short stint with Sportvereinigung Elversberg, he switched to Norwegian club Follo Fotball in December 2005. In Norway, Rosen also worked as an assistant for the club's management. After his two-year-stint with Follo, he moved to the Stuttgarter Kickers in the Regionalliga Süd. Rosen finished his playing career at Hoffenheim, playing his last match in December 2010.

Management career

Rosen started his formal training as a sports business administrator in 2009 while still playing professional football, enrolling at the University of Applied Sciences at Schmalkalden to study sports economics. In November 2010, Rosen became Hoffenheim's development performance centre manager. In April 2013, he was promoted to head of professional football at Hoffenheim. Since October 2013, his official job title has been director of football. Rosen has been frequently praised for Hoffenheim's ability to remain competitive in the Bundesliga despite its relatively small size and budget, relying on successful player development and innovative transfer moves. In July 2022, his contract was extended to 2025. In July 2024, he was relieved of his duties as TSG Hoffenheim's managing director for sport, ending his 15-year tenure with the club.

Family

Rosen is married and has a son. His grandfather, Gerhard Niklasch, was a team captain and the record appearance-maker at BC Augsburg in the Oberliga Süd, the highest league in Germany at the time. Among others, Niklasch played with German football legend Helmut Haller.