Sporting Director Kroesche Leaves Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche has left the club after his contract was terminated early at his request.

The Bundesliga club announced the decision on Sunday, ending Kroesche’s tenure before his contract was due to expire in 2028.

Kroesche, 46, is widely credited with helping transform Frankfurt from a mid-table side into a regular European competitor. Under his leadership, the club won the Europa League in 2022 and subsequently qualified for the Champions League.

Frankfurt also generated significant transfer revenues during his tenure, selling players including Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, Omar Marmoush to Manchester City and Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain.

Kroesche, who previously served as sporting director at RB Leipzig, had been linked with a similar role at Borussia Dortmund but had also faced criticism in recent seasons.

Frankfurt’s form has deteriorated this campaign following their Champions League appearance last season. The club have won two of their first six league matches and currently sit 11th in the Bundesliga.

Explaining his decision to leave, Kroesche said his more than five years at Frankfurt had been highly successful but demanding, and that he felt it was time for a change.

He added that a fresh approach could also benefit the club.

“After more than five highly successful,  yet also very demanding, years at this magnificent club, I have come to feel that I need a change, and that a fresh impetus might also be beneficial for Eintracht,” Kroesche said in a statement.