Eintracht Frankfurt president Mathias Beck has confirmed the planned and confidential departure of sporting director Markus Krösche. The 55-year-old, who was himself re-elected with around 99 percent of the votes, orchestrated the exit of the long-serving executive, whose contract originally ran until 2028.
Krösche requested his release a few days before the 1-0 victory over 1. FC Köln. Beck then demanded total secrecy from a small circle. The public only learned of the move when Krösche himself asked the club's main committee to be released from his duties. Beck determined the timing of the announcement to allow Krösche an emotional farewell in front of 1341 members at Frankfurt's Jahrhunderthalle.
"Of course we are dealing with this topic," Beck said regarding the search for a successor. "But today is not the time when I want to talk about it." Axel Hellmann is the club's new chief executive. Together with him, Beck is now searching for a successor to Krösche, who directed Eintracht's sporting affairs for five years.
The club leadership must address this personnel matter against the backdrop of an inconsistent Bundesliga season. Eintracht Frankfurt sit in 14th place with eight points after seven matchdays. Their record shows two wins, two draws and three defeats. The team faces 11th-placed Hamburger SV at home this weekend in the return fixture. The recent form of three wins in the last five games offers hope following the 3-1 victory in Hamburg. Top scorer Younes Ebnoutalib has netted five times this season. The 3-1 away defeat to Hamburger SV on Tuesday 27 October was the most recent setback, following a 1-0 win over 1. FC Köln and a 6-0 loss at RB Leipzig, as well as a 4-0 victory against Eintracht Braunschweig and a 2-2 draw with SC Freiburg. In the table, the gap to the leaders is nine points. With ten goals scored and 17 conceded, the team has a negative goal difference of minus seven. The next fixture is against Hamburger SV in Frankfurt on Sunday 1 November.
This story first appeared at Bild Sport
