As the General Coordinator of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Heinz Palme was Franz Beckenbauer’s right-hand man. In the Snowflash talk, he shares insights into his roots in two ski-obsessed families and explores the connections between winter sports and football.
With his book Des Kaisers General (The Emperor’s General), Heinz Palme fulfilled a lifelong dream. The internationally renowned sports manager chronicles his career, focusing particularly on his six years working alongside Franz Beckenbauer for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The book’s subtitle, which includes forewords by Herbert Prohaska and Toni Innauer, highlights Palme’s winter sports background: From Ski Jumper to Playmaker in World Football.
Ski jumping runs deep in the family of the native Styrian. His grandfather was a world-class jumper, and his father also enjoyed success in the sport. For Heinz himself, however, a severe shinbone fracture from football at age eleven ended his ski jumping ambitions. Nonetheless, his connection to the sport remained strong. Over the years, he maintained close relationships with legends like Toni Innauer, Hubert Neuper, and Andi Goldberger, and he forged a deep friendship with coach Alexander Pointner.
Until the age of 16, Heinz Palme also competed as a ski racer and has remained passionate about the sport to this day. He has even hit the slopes with numerous Austrian football legends. His impressive career spans over two decades in various roles with the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), including serving as Chief Coordinator for the Austrian government during the UEFA EURO 2008. Today, he is also well-known as a keynote speaker and as the founder of his own coaching and mentoring agency, Moving Palms.
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