After Cologne Exit: Dominique Heintz Starts as Padel Managing Director

After the end of his time at 1. FC Köln, Dominique Heintz has already built up a second career. The central defender is registered as managing director at Padel Club Weinstraße GmbH in Maikammer (Palatinate). How things will continue for him in professional football remains open.

Managing Director Role in Maikammer – Parallel to Uncertain Football Future

Heintz (32) was part of Cologne's professional squad in two periods and played a total of 161 competitive matches for the club (2015 to 2018 and 2023 to 2026). A new employer in football is not yet known.

Regardless, the next step off the pitch is now concrete: According to the commercial register (HRB 34519, Landau District Court), Dominique Christoph Heintz is one of four managing directors of Padel Club Weinstraße GmbH. The company was registered in March 2026, with its headquarters in Maikammer.

Opening on June 1, 2026 – Five Indoor Courts, Events and Community Focus

The facility opened on June 1, 2026. The club operates a hall with five indoor padel courts and positions itself not only as a sports offering, but also as an event and meeting point:

• After-work padel
• Family offers
• Themed evenings

The business model also relies on recurring customers: Through a membership system, benefits such as earlier booking windows and discounts are promoted. Depending on the tariff, advance booking periods vary – from two weeks up to four weeks in advance. Which deadlines apply to non-members is less specifically communicated publicly than the membership benefits; in principle, however, guests can also book courts.

Also striking is a pink-colored court, which is part of an Adidas initiative ("Pink Movement"). A share of the proceeds is intended to flow into projects for breast cancer research – a social accent with which the club also wants to make a name for itself beyond the region.

“From a Fun Idea to Reality” – Heintz’s Ambition as Operator

According to Heintz, the idea arose during his time in Cologne: He tried padel there for the first time, and step by step it developed into a serious project. Heintz’s goal is to be “the best padel club” in the Palatinate – both athletically and organizationally.

While his next stop in professional football is not yet determined, his start as managing director shows: Heintz is not relying solely on the next contract during the transition phase, but is taking on entrepreneurial responsibility – with a clearly defined project that is already up and running.