Confirmed: Darmstadt hire English sporting director for rebuilding phase

The task of rebuilding soon-to-be-relegated SV Darmstadt 98 will fall to (as had been rumored) 37-year-old Englishman Paul Fernie. Darmstadt's new sporting director was unveiled lates Tuesday. The former former Wiesbaden executive will take the place of the departed Carsten Wehlmann. Fernie brings with him the combined experience of six years working a German footballing front office in two stints with Wiesbaden. He also worked for two years as a scout in the Red Bull GmbH system.

"I went to night school twice a week," Fernie noted in highly competent German whilst discussing the manner in which he adjusted to the language barrier at his unveiling at the Böllenfalltor yesterday, "I'll always have my problems with the articles 'der, die, das'. At a certain point I just started talking. Talking and not worrying too much." 

"We have quite a it before us, but that's normal," Fernie continued when it came time to discuss the task ahead, "I'm not worried about the situation. I see it as an opportunity to build something new and bring in my ideas. Chiefly, the scouting department needs manpower." 

"Paul was our dream candidate," club President Rüdiger Fritsch added, "It was important for us to bring in someone who can build this club from the bottom up. Paul demonstrated during his time at SV Wehen Wiesbaden that he can cope with limited resources and circumstances." 

Fernie's new contract runs through 2027.