Eintracht Frankfurt confirm Markus Krosche exit after major player sales

Eintracht Frankfurt have announced that sporting director Markus Krosche will leave his role after five and a half seasons, with his name recently linked to the vacant sporting director position at AC Milan.

The German club said the decision followed “good, frank and trust-based discussions” between Krosche and supervisory board chairman Matthias Beck over recent weeks.

Axel Hellmann will take charge on an interim basis while Eintracht Frankfurt search for a new sporting director.

Krosche’s contract with the club remains valid until the end of June 2028, although Eintracht Frankfurt said it would be subject to amendments without specifying what those changes would be.

Krosche, who took up the position in 2021, played a part in the club’s success in winning the UEFA Europa League in 2022. He was also involved in several high-profile player departures that generated significant transfer income for the Bundesliga club.

Those deals included Omar Marmoush’s move to Manchester City for 75m euros, Hugo Ekitike’s transfer to Liverpool for almost 100m euros and Randal Kolo Muani’s switch to Paris Saint-Germain for more than 90m euros.

In a statement, Krosche said: “The years I spent in Frankfurt were an exceptional, intense and unforgettable period for me. Over the past few months, I have thought carefully about my personal situation and professional future.

“After more than five highly successful – and also challenging – years at this great club, I have felt for some time that I needed a change, and that new energy could also benefit the club.”

Eintracht Frankfurt are 11th in the Bundesliga with eight points after six matches this season.

AC Milan, meanwhile, are seeking a new sporting director following the departure of Igli Tare, who was dismissed after the club failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League amid a major series of changes in the club’s administration.