Eintracht Frankfurt appears to be heading for a radical overhaul after a highly turbulent season. Furthermore, there are numerous candidates being discussed for the potential succession of coach Albert Riera.
According to reports from the Bild newspaper, a multitude of players could be leaving the club. The eight players currently out on loan, including Elye Wahi and Junior Dina Ebimbe, are expected to depart. In addition to them, a host of current squad members are reportedly considered candidates for sale.
Among those mentioned are national player Nnamdi Collins, who is rumored to be heading to England, Fares Chaibi (with interest from France, England, and Italy), and Ellyes Skhiri. The latter is reportedly no longer part of sporting director Markus Krösche’s plans. Furthermore, key players like Nathaniel Brown, Can Uzun, and Hugo Larsson could also leave Eintracht, all of whom would generate a substantial transfer surplus. This money would be crucial for the many new signings that would consequently need to arrive at the club.
This situation is exacerbated by the fact that Frankfurt is in danger of missing out on European competition entirely. Even a qualification for the Conference League, which is the maximum possibility remaining, would be a significant disappointment. In this regard, SGE will have to rely on support from RB Leipzig. If the seventh-placed team, SC Freiburg, drops points against the Saxons, the Eagles could overtake them. On the final matchday, VfB Stuttgart, who are still vying for a Champions League spot, awaits. Eintracht is currently one point behind. An alternative pathway would be a victory for SCF in the Europa League, where they face Aston Villa in the final.
The current sporting situation is also not conducive to the negotiation position for loan striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, who arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest in the winter. The purchase option is reportedly set at 27 million Euros. Krösche is apparently looking to renegotiate this deal.
Successor to Albert Riera Sought: Will a Former BVB Coach Arrive?
In addition to the player situation, the club also needs to address finding a new coach. Troubled coach Riera is reportedly on the verge of dismissal, according to consistent media reports. Long-discussed candidates for the position include Kjetil Knutsen (Bodö/Glimt) and Jacob Neestrup (unattached). Matthias Jaissle, who is reportedly looking to leave Saudi Arabia in the summer, and Domenico Tedesco are also in contention. The former Schalke coach was recently sacked by Fenerbahce Istanbul. A return for former coaches Adi Hütter (unattached) and Oliver Glasner (reportedly on his way out at Crystal Palace) is considered as unlikely as an engagement from Roger Schmidt. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach has recently stepped away from coaching and has been serving as Global Sports Director in the Japanese league since October of last year.
The Bild newspaper also names Mike Tullberg as another candidate, who was previously considered for the Frankfurt position after Glasner’s departure in 2023. However, the former BVB coach (youth, reserves, and interim before Niko Kovac) is still under contract with FC Midtjylland in his native Denmark until 2029. Furthermore, discussions are reportedly underway regarding a solution involving a young, inexperienced coach to inject new impetus into the team.
In this context, Tobias Strobl (38) is being mentioned, who narrowly missed promotion to the 2. Bundesliga with SC Verl. This has not gone unnoticed by Krösche. Tonda Eckert (33), who is competing for promotion to the Premier League with FC Southampton, and Danny Röhl (37) are also named. The former assistant coach to Hansi Flick at FC Bayern Munich is currently the coach of the Glasgow Rangers and has a contract until 2028. VfL Wolfsburg is also reportedly showing interest in him.