Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz is a highly accomplished football executive with over 20 years of experience. Originally joining the Fire on Dec. 20, 2019, Heitz currently oversees all aspects of the Club’s football operations, including First Team, Chicago Fire FC II and Chicago Fire Academy decisions.
Prior to joining Chicago, Heitz spent eight years (2009-2017) with Swiss Super League club, FC Basel 1893. Serving as Sporting Director and Board Member from 2012-17, Heitz led FC Basel to eight consecutive Swiss championships (2010-17) and three Swiss Cup trophies (2010, 2012, 2017).
FC Basel also advanced to the UEFA Champions League six times under Heitz’s leadership, including two appearances in the Round of 16 (2012, 2014). In addition, from 2009-2017, Heitz helped the Swiss first division club generate more than $180 million euros from player transfers. Following his successful eight-year tenure with FC Basel, Heitz became the founder and partner of Heusler Werthmüller Heitz AG, where he spearheaded change management and strategic operations for football organizations in Switzerland, Germany and Austria before joining the Fire.
Prior to beginning his career as a football executive, Heitz, who was born in Switzerland and speaks three languages (German, French and English), worked as a journalist and deputy editor for several organizations from 1994-2008, including FIFA and Swiss newspaper Basler Zeitung.