Photographs of football managers proudly parading new signings are commonplace on social media during the transfer season.
But in a surely unprecedented move, German club St Pauli took unusual steps to break the news of their latest transfer in the absence of coach Ewald Lienen.
With the second tier club’s boss no where to be found, a masked man stood in as new striker Marvin Ducksch was introduced to the media.
In case you were wondering where Ewald was .. pic.twitter.com/fMf6dsDLFV
— FC St. Pauli English (@fcstpauli_EN) June 15, 2016
St Pauli – who have a reputation as a cult club – posted the bizarre image on social media alongside a simple “one off” message after some supporters raised an eyebrow at the shot.
A one-off! #ewaldmaske #fcsp #ducksch pic.twitter.com/NA0AS1TrCY
— FC St. Pauli English (@fcstpauli_EN) June 15, 2016
Forward Ducksch, 22, scored one goal in seven appearances for German giants Borussia Dortmund and said he is looking forward to “playing in front of big crowds again”.
Fans of the Hamburg-based club are famously left-leaning in their politicas and regard themselves as fiercely anti-racist, anti-homophobic and anti-sexist.
These beliefs are actually enshrined in the club’s constitution.
St Pauli has the largest number of female fans in Germany and in 2002 removed adverts for a lads mag from the stadium over sexism concerns.
The squad have also made several appearances at a German heavy metal festival.
