Rand Oliver Glasner is said to earn two million euros a year in Frankfurt. There could probably be about three with bonuses in recognition of his services – if the Eintracht coach prematurely extends his contract, which runs until mid-2024, to July 1, 2026. Glasner only has to say yes to the offer made by sports director Markus Krösche and put his signature under it. It would be a strong signal and exclamation point from the 48-year-old Austrian. Especially now that there are many unanswered questions in Frankfurt.
Will Philip Holzer remain the head of the supervisory board? Is CEO Axel Hellmann leaving the club for the German Football League (DFL) or will he become even more influential at Eintracht? The two main actors are at odds. At the management level, the club is facing a crucial test. Club president Peter Fischer, against whom the Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office had closed the investigation on Thursday on suspicion of acquiring and possessing cocaine, is slipping into the arbitration role.
Eintracht is busy with various sources of fire, which it has kindled itself and which it should extinguish quickly so that the unrest and uncertainty do not become even greater. With his yes word, at least Glasner would create planning security in an important position – and collect plus points with his trust measure.
Great upheaval is imminent
But the coach hesitates. He took his time to think about it. Nobody can accuse him of the impasse, no matter what his reasons are. One possibility is that Glasner wants to wait and see how things develop at Eintracht, which has currently been without a win for six competitive games. A major player upheaval in the summer is not out of the question.
Playmaker Daichi Kamada and centre-back Evan Ndicka, whose contracts are expiring, are likely departures. Top striker Randal Kolo Muani has been linked with Manchester United despite a contract until the summer of 2027; the English record champions are said to be preparing an offer of 120 million euros for the French international.
Midfielder Djibril Sow, who is said to have a €30m release clause, and attacker Jesper Lindstrom, who is interested in Arsenal London, could also leave the club if offered. And the Argentinian Lucas Alario and the Colombian Rafael Borré apparently have thoughts of emigration because they think they don’t get enough playing time with the Europa League winners.
However, it is not in Glasner’s interest to have to build a new team on a grand scale this summer. In addition, he wants to lead a team that can once again play for the international places in terms of level. For this, Eintracht needs to strengthen themselves, especially in the central defender position, with at least two high-quality newcomers. The right-back position could also use growth.
It is also quite possible that Glasner will explore its market value in the coming weeks. Play for time and see what options are available in the high segment of the trainer market. A football teacher who has reached the Champions League with the clubs Linz, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt arouses desires.
Tottenham Hotspur is said to have already contacted Glasner’s advisor. For understandable reasons, Krösche Glasner has not yet set a deadline. But at least with regard to the new season, the sports director needs a binding sign from the coach as soon as possible. Glasner pretends to be calm in person. He is one of the few at Eintracht.
