HThis time, the ambitious goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was not the main actor for the Hessians. On the other hand, Hertha BSC Berlin did not play in the 0: 3 in Frankfurt on Saturday: The capital club, which was in a serious sporting crisis, did not subject Trapp to any serious testing in the 94 minutes of the game. The 32-year-old was still in demand afterwards – as the one who was the hot topic at Eintracht the day before the game because he had extended his contract prematurely until mid-2026 with the option for another year.
“That was no longer a surprise for me,” said coach Oliver Glasner after the tenth win of the season in 19 games and fifth place in the table. “We expected it a few days beforehand.” The Austrian emphasized calmly that he had “always been calm” about the matter. “I was in contact with everyone. And when there are sensible people at the negotiating table, this is the outcome.”
Business as usual in the business relationship between Trapp and Eintracht? That’s probably not the whole truth. The people of Frankfurt had to fight for their figurehead as athletes and people. In the fast track, no agreement was reached. The money, according to Trapp, was not necessarily the main reason. The national goalkeeper, who is considered the top earner in the squad, is also aware that he has his value. For the long-term perspective on the Main – Trapp will get a job in the club after his active career – he now apparently cut back on the basic salary.
“That’s Manuel’s thing”
But with premiums and bonus payments, he can come within reach of his previous income, which is between four and five million euros. A compromise that ultimately satisfied both sides. Glasner spoke of a “win-win extension” and described Trapp as “one of the best German goalkeepers”. For sports director Markus Krösche, Trapp is currently the “best German goalkeeper” in view of the performances shown so far in this round.
Trapp knows that he is the undisputed number one in the Frankfurt goal, as long as he performs at the top level he is used to. He’s still aiming high enough. After the injury of national team captain Manuel Neuer, Trapp wants to “offer” himself with the appropriate proof of work for a chance in the selection team. He had read that the goalkeepers behind Neuer would be given a chance by national coach Hansi Flick, said Trapp.
The Frankfurter commented on television when asked about the hustle and bustle about Neuer, who had shown himself angry in a newspaper interview about Munich’s separation from goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic and sharply criticized it. “That’s Manuel’s business. If he feels that way, then so be it.” Trapp pointed out the sporting “close relationship with the goalkeeping coaches” that he had cultivated in Kaiserslautern with Gerry Ehrmann and in Frankfurt with “Moppes” Petz. Jan Zimmermann is currently his goalkeeping coach, with whom he also works in a spirit of trust.
