Thomas Hitzlsperger is a former German national soccer player, Bundesliga champion, entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Every organisation wants people who perform at their best. Few realise how many of their people are holding back, spending energy fitting in rather than stepping up. Thomas knows that cost better than most.
Known as “The Hammer”, Thomas Hitzlsperger is amongst Germany’s most recognised footballers, with 52 international caps, a Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart, 117 Premier League appearances and clubs including Aston Villa, West Ham United, Everton, Lazio and VfL Wolfsburg. For much of that career he was performing at the very top of the game while hiding who he was.
“Modern soccer has no place for people stuck in the past and those with outdated prejudices.” – Thomas Hitzlsperger
After retiring, Thomas made global headlines by coming out as gay, becoming the first former Premier League player to do so. It was a moment of rare courage that made him a genuine pioneer, and he has since become a powerful voice on inclusion and belonging, speaking from lived experience at the very top of elite sport.
Thomas Hitzlsperger Keynote Topics
Diversity – Diversity as an Opportunity for Businesses and Society
- Why different perspectives strengthen teams and organizations.
- How companies can break down biases and promote equal opportunity.
- What responsibility leaders have for fostering an open corporate culture.
Inclusion – Belonging Drives Performance
- Why people can only reach their full potential when they feel accepted.
- Personal experiences with identity, coming out, and societal expectations.
- How trust, openness, and mutual respect improve collaboration.
The Business of Sport – The Economic Side of Professional Soccer
- Professional soccer: balancing athletic success and economic interests.
- Strategic decisions and management at a Bundesliga club.
- What businesses can learn from the business model of elite sports.
Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneurship and New Perspectives
- From professional soccer player to entrepreneur and investor.
- Recognizing opportunities, taking risks, and developing new business areas.
- Why adaptability and entrepreneurial thinking are crucial.
Leadership – Leadership and Responsibility in Elite Sports
- Experiences as Sports Director and CEO of VfB Stuttgart.
- How leaders shape change and make difficult decisions.
- Trust, team spirit, and clear values as the foundations of successful leadership.
More about Thomas Hitzlsperger
That voice has carried onto screen. Thomas is a familiar face on Sky, BBC, Amazon, ESPN and Fox Sports, and he has used his platform to tell the stories football often avoids. He produced documentaries on the treatment of migrant workers ahead of Qatar 2022 and on HIV in South Africa, and he featured in TNT Sports’ documentary “Rylan: Homophobia, Football & Me”. He is as comfortable leading a difficult conversation as he is analysing a game.
Showing a quiet but unique drive to push his boundaries beyond football, Thomas went on to lead VfB Stuttgart, first running the academy, then as Sporting Director and later as CEO, rebuilding the club both commercially and culturally. Today he sits on the boards of clubs in Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, and he’s a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Sports, Entertainment and Media programme.
He brings all of it into the room: the elite performer, the courageous leader, the trusted broadcaster and the executive who has run a major football club. His sessions on inclusion, belonging and high performance culture don’t just inspire. They show leaders that when people feel they belong, they speak up, take risks, stay longer and perform better, and they challenge organisations to be bolder, braver and more authentically themselves.
In 2024, Thomas Hitzlsperger published his autobiography, Mutproben (Tests of Courage), in which he recounts his athletic career, personal challenges, and his journey toward a self-determined life.
As a keynote speaker, Thomas Hitzlsperger combines personal experiences with in-depth insights into business, elite sports, and society. He speaks about the courage to break new ground, about responsibility in leadership roles, and about how diversity and mutual respect can make companies more successful. His talks are authentic, thoughtful, and provide valuable inspiration for leaders, teams, and organizations.