Eintracht Frankfurt are searching for a successor to board member for sport Markus Krösche, and GOAL says Joti Chatzialexiou of 1. FC Nürnberg has emerged as the frontrunner after other candidates were ruled out or turned them down. GOAL also says reports suggest a final breakthrough is imminent.
The shortlist narrows
According to Sky, former SGE captain Christoph Spycher, now head of sport at BSC Young Boys in Bern, turned down Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. GOAL says Sky listed Chatzialexiou and Marcel Schäfer of RB Leipzig among the favourites alongside Spycher.
Schäfer reportedly out of the running
Bild says Marcel Schäfer is reportedly no longer under consideration, particularly as there has reportedly been no direct contact with the Leipzig official.
Nürnberg contract issue
GOAL says Eintracht Frankfurt would have to pay Nürnberg a fee in the low single-digit millions to buy Chatzialexiou out of his existing contract.
Club position and recent results
Axel Hellmann said on Sunday that the club wanted a "quick decision". Frankfurt relieved Markus Krösche of his duties as board member for sport at his own request, granting him immediate release. Krösche's contract, originally due to run until 30 June 2028, remains in place in a modified form.
Eintracht Frankfurt beat 1. FC Köln 1-0, lost 1-0 away to Borussia Dortmund, and beat Hamburger SV 3-1 on Tuesday to reach the next cup round.