Tjark Ernst comes from a remarkable German football family. Born in Stuttgart on March 15, 2003, the goalkeeper grew up surrounded by the sport because both of his parents played football professionally. His father, Thomas Ernst, was a Bundesliga goalkeeper, while his mother, Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst, became a German champion and three-time DFB-Pokal winner.
Football also influenced Tjark Ernst’s younger brother, Lasse, who played at youth level in Germany. However, while information about his parents and sibling is publicly documented, the goalkeeper remains private about his romantic life. Here is everything publicly known about Tjark Ernst’s family, girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Who Are Tjark Ernst’s Parents?
Tjark Ernst’s parents are Thomas Ernst and Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst. They were both professional footballers before starting their family, making Tjark one of the comparatively rare players whose mother and father both competed at a high level.
Growing up in this environment gave Tjark an early introduction to football. In an interview with German broadcaster Inforadio, he revealed that “ball” was the first word he attempted to say. Nevertheless, he has explained that his parents never pressured him or his brother to become footballers. Their priority was for their sons to enjoy themselves and find their own paths.
Who Is Tjark Ernst’s Father, Thomas Ernst?
Tjark Ernst’s father, Thomas Ernst, is a former German professional goalkeeper. Born on December 23, 1967, in Wiesbaden, Thomas began his football development with FV Biebrich 02 before entering Eintracht Frankfurt’s youth system.
Thomas represented several German clubs during his playing career, including Eintracht Frankfurt, FSV Frankfurt, VfL Bochum, VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He was part of the Eintracht Frankfurt squad that won the DFB-Pokal in 1988 and later helped VfL Bochum win the 2. Bundesliga.
After retiring as a player, Thomas remained involved in football. He worked as a goalkeeper coach with Germany’s women’s national team, served as team manager at FSV Frankfurt and later became a member of VfL Bochum’s executive board.
Thomas has also supported Tjark throughout his career. Speaking about his son’s development, the former goalkeeper acknowledged that Tjark had progressed further at a young age than he had himself. Although both father and son play the same position, Thomas has allowed Tjark to develop his own goalkeeping identity.
Who Is Tjark Ernst’s Mother, Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst?
Tjark Ernst’s mother is former German footballer Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst. Born in Frankfurt am Main on February 7, 1972, Kerstin played as a midfielder for FSV Frankfurt between 1989 and 1995.
Kerstin enjoyed an exceptionally successful career. She won the German women’s championship with FSV Frankfurt in 1995 and lifted the DFB-Pokal in 1990, 1992 and 1995. She was also part of the team that won the German Supercup in 1995.
Her achievements mean she won the DFB-Pokal more times than either her husband or son has managed so far. Tjark has spoken about seeing his family’s shirts and medals stored at his grandmother’s home when he was younger.
Kerstin’s football background also provided Tjark with another source of experience and guidance. Despite their successful careers, she and Thomas reportedly avoided placing professional expectations on their children.
Does Tjark Ernst Have Any Siblings?
Tjark Ernst has one brother named Lasse Ernst. Tjark is the older of Thomas and Kerstin’s two sons.
Lasse also became involved in football and was identified by Hertha BSC as a youth player with the under-19 team of DJK TuS Hordel. However, considerably less information is publicly available about Lasse than about his professional-footballer brother.
Tjark confirmed in an interview that neither he nor Lasse was pressured by their parents to pursue the sport. Although their family background naturally introduced them to football, their parents wanted both boys to enjoy whichever activities they chose.
Who Is Tjark Ernst’s Girlfriend?
Tjark Ernst has not publicly confirmed that he has a girlfriend. As of the latest publicly available information, no reliable club statement, interview or established news report has identified a romantic partner.
The German goalkeeper primarily uses his public platform to share content connected to football and his professional career. Consequently, it would be inaccurate to name someone as Tjark Ernst’s girlfriend based only on online speculation or unverified social-media activity.
Unless Ernst chooses to discuss his relationship status publicly, this part of his personal life should be considered private.
Does Tjark Ernst Have Children?
There is no credible public information indicating that Tjark Ernst has any children. The goalkeeper has never announced that he is a father, and reliable biographical profiles do not mention him having a son or daughter.
Therefore, the most accurate conclusion is that Tjark Ernst has no publicly known children as of 2026.
Tjark Ernst’s Extended Football Family
The football connections in Tjark Ernst’s family extend beyond his parents. His maternal aunt, Dagmar Pohlmann, is Kerstin’s twin sister and was also a successful footballer for FSV Frankfurt.
Dagmar won the DFB-Pokal alongside Kerstin in 1990, 1992 and 1995 before claiming the trophy for a fourth time in 1996. This means Tjark grew up in a family containing three DFB-Pokal winners: his father Thomas, his mother Kerstin and his aunt Dagmar.
Tjark’s maternal grandmother is named Ellen Pohlmann. Reports about the family have noted that she preserved several shirts and medals from her daughters’ successful playing careers.
How Tjark Ernst’s Family Influenced His Career
Tjark Ernst’s decision to become a goalkeeper was strongly connected to his upbringing, even though his parents did not force him to follow them into professional football. His father’s experience between the posts provided an obvious reference point, while his mother’s achievements showed him what was required to win major trophies.
He spent part of his early childhood around football stadiums because of Thomas’s career. Tjark attended matches at Kaiserslautern’s Fritz-Walter-Stadion when his father played for the club and was sometimes allowed onto the pitch after games.
After developing in VfL Bochum’s academy, Tjark established himself as a professional goalkeeper with Hertha BSC. In July 2026, he completed a move to Feyenoord, continuing the family’s long connection with professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tjark Ernst’s Family
Who is Tjark Ernst’s father?
Tjark Ernst’s father is Thomas Ernst, a former professional goalkeeper who represented clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt, VfL Bochum, VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Who is Tjark Ernst’s mother?
His mother is Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst, a former FSV Frankfurt midfielder who won one German championship, three DFB-Pokal trophies and one German Supercup.
Are Tjark Ernst’s parents still married?
Publicly available biographical sources identify Thomas Ernst and Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst as a married couple. There have been no reliable reports announcing a separation.
Does Tjark Ernst have a brother?
Yes. Tjark has a younger brother named Lasse Ernst, who has played youth football for DJK TuS Hordel.
Who is Tjark Ernst’s girlfriend?
Tjark Ernst has not publicly identified a girlfriend. No romantic relationship involving the goalkeeper has been reliably confirmed.
Does Tjark Ernst have children?
No children have been publicly linked to Tjark Ernst, and he has never announced that he is a father.
Was Tjark Ernst’s mother also a footballer?
Yes. Kerstin Pohlmann-Ernst was a successful midfielder for FSV Frankfurt from 1989 until 1995.
Who is Tjark Ernst’s aunt?
His maternal aunt is former footballer Dagmar Pohlmann, the twin sister of his mother, Kerstin. Dagmar won the women’s DFB-Pokal four times with FSV Frankfurt.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
