Jan Schlaudraff
A cerebral forward who became a respected sporting director, shaping club strategy after his playing days.
Born 1983 (age 43)·German footballer·Birthday: July 18·Millennials
Biography
Jan Schlaudraff’s football journey is a story of intelligent adaptation. Born in West Germany, he carved out a solid professional career as a versatile attacker, known more for his technical finesse and vision than raw power. He played for several Bundesliga clubs, including Hannover 96 and Bayern Munich, where his role was often that of a strategic playmaker. His true impact, however, materialized after hanging up his boots. Leveraging his deep understanding of the game, Schlaudraff seamlessly transitioned into football administration. He earned a reputation as a sharp, forward-thinking executive, first with Hannover 96 and later taking the helm as managing director of sports for Austrian club SKN St. Pölten. In this role, he applies the lessons from the pitch to the boardroom, overseeing player development and long-term club vision.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jan was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Jan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played over 150 Bundesliga matches for clubs including Hannover 96, Alemannia Aachen, and Bayern Munich.
- Served as the sporting director for Hannover 96, overseeing football operations for the first team and academy.
- Appointed managing director of sports for Austrian Bundesliga club SKN St. Pölten in 2020.
Did You Know?
He scored his first Bundesliga goal for Alemannia Aachen against his future club, Bayern Munich.
Schlaudraff holds a degree in sports management from the University of Hagen.
He won the German Football Ambassador award in 2015 for his charitable work.
“My game was about finding the right space and the clever pass.”
