Werder Bremen scout Felix Wiedwald has taken on an unusual side activity, conducting political campaigning among fans of rivals Hamburger SV. The former goalkeeper for the Bundesliga club is moving from the football pitch to the political arena, as reported by Bild Sport on Tuesday.
Wiedwald, who transitioned to Werder's scouting department after his active playing career, is currently on a special mission. "The former Werder goalkeeper is even campaigning among HSV fans," Wiedwald said about his activities. This unusual connection between football and politics is causing a stir, particularly in the historic rivalry between the two northern clubs.
How does politics fit with Werder scouting?
Felix Wiedwald's role at Werder Bremen normally focuses on talent identification and player analysis. The 36-year-old regularly scouts matches across various leagues to identify potential reinforcements for the Green-Whites. His political involvement represents a significant expansion of his sphere of influence. The campaign activities run parallel to his work for the Bundesliga club, which currently sits in 10th place with 3 points.
Werder has a balanced record of one win and one loss after two matchdays. With 4 goals scored and 5 conceded, the team has a negative goal difference of -1. In the title race, Bremen already trail surprise leaders FC Augsburg by 3 points. The current form of win-loss shows there's room for improvement.
What impact does this have on the derby rivalry?
The political activity of a Werder employee in the environment of Hamburger SV touches on one of German football's most intense rivalries. The North Derby between Werder Bremen and HSV is among the most traditional fixtures in Bundesliga history. Wiedwald's direct approach to HSV fans for political purposes could cast this historic competition in a new light.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen must focus on sporting challenges. The club's injury list is considerable and includes key players like Felix Agu, Jens Stage, Justin Njinmah, Eren Dinkçi, and Senne Lynen. These personnel shortages present tactical challenges for coach Ole Werner, especially with an away fixture coming up.
When is the next match?
The next challenge for Werder Bremen arrives on September 12, 2026. The team travels to face 1. FC Köln, who currently occupy 11th place in the table. This away game offers the chance to improve their record after the third matchday and climb the standings. The complete schedule for the season can be checked on our fixtures page.
Against this backdrop, Wiedwald's political engagement seems like a parallel world to the actual football business. The scout apparently uses his fame from his playing days to spread political messages. How these activities will affect his scouting work in the long term remains to be seen. The current squad lineup and injury overview can be found in the squad section.
The Bundesliga table shows Werder Bremen in solid mid-table, but the season is still young. The club has every opportunity to improve in the coming weeks, especially when injured players return. The detailed standings provide a comprehensive overview of the current league situation. Werder travels to Cologne on September 12 aiming for three points.
