Sydney FC Championship and Premiership double winner Alex Baumjohann is returning to the Sky Blues in a newly created Head of Player Management position.
Baumjohann will work closely with Chief Executive Officer Adam Santo to help grow the club’s football revenue by taking a proactive approach in identifying and evaluating opportunities for Sydney FC players to progress abroad.
His role will also be responsible for negotiating agreements and he will work across all Academy teams and both A-Leagues teams.
Since announcing his retirement as a player Baumjohann has completed a UEFA Certificate in Football Management and a degree in International Sports Management.
“We ran an extensive search and we are delighted to have secured someone of Alex’s calibre and network of contacts around the world,” said CEO Adam Santo.
“This role will be crucial for us moving forward as we look to identify pathways for the players we develop in our Academy.
“We will also benefit hugely from Alex’s technical knowledge.”
Baumjohann will also join the club’s technical core whose focus is to evolve Sydney FC’s football philosophy and he will also assist in identifying options for player recruitment.
“I am very happy to be re-joining Sydney FC in this capacity and looking forward to helping the club and our younger players progress,” said Baumjohann.
“Sydney FC is developing the best young players in Australia and it is important they are given the right opportunity and support to succeed in their careers.
“The club has the best Academy in the country and I’m excited to be involved in helping to improve their player pathway.”
Baumjohann’s playing career began in Germany with FC Schalke 04 before spells with giants Bayern Munich, Borussia Monchengladbach, Kaiserslauten and Hertha Berlin.
The attacking midfielder spent a year playing in Brazil with FC Coritiba and EC Vitoria before moving to Western Sydney Wanderers for a year followed by two seasons at Sydney FC.
In addition to an A-League Championship and Premiership, the 36-year old has also won the Bundesliga, the German Cup twice, the German Super Cup and the German League Cup.
He starts his role with immediate effect.