The template came from the fans. Exactly ten months to the day was the formative experience. “Not a lot of babble – Frankfurt makes trouble.” It was a huge choreography, presented in two parts. The banners were so massive – and Dino Toppmöller was very impressed. “I sat in front of the TV. It was Eintracht’s first Champions League game.” Sporting Lisbon was in the Frankfurt Arena on September 7, 2022. Eintracht lost their first group game 3-0, but TV observer Toppmöller, who has been the head coach of the ambitious Bundesliga club since July 1 of this year, was certain: That will be his motto.
Toppmöller recalled this scene on Friday. When he was asked at his official introduction under which mission statement he would base his start and his time as a coach in Frankfurt, there was no doubt: trouble, cause stress, annoy the opponent, be offensive, courageous, variable and flexible. “We want to be uncomfortable for the opponents,” said Toppmöller. There are a variety of skills and abilities that Toppmöller wants to see from his team in the future. The basic mission is no secret. “We want to play international football regularly,” said Sports Director Markus Krösche, who was sitting next to him in the professional camp.
“We are very well positioned with the squad”
The press room in the Eintracht headquarters was full to bursting, and family man Toppmöller, who lives with his wife and two children in Frankfurt “not far from the stadium”, had to pass his first test. For one half, 45 minutes, the 42-year-old soccer coach answered questions. He spoke of appreciation and empathy, values and ideals – and he exemplified this himself, because he spoke calmly, clearly and directly. “Emotion is part of it, but as a coach I have to keep a cool head,” he said, adding: “The euphoria in Frankfurt about Eintracht is huge and unbroken.”
The expectations are high – like every year in summer, when the staff is more or less confused and the club prepares for a new season. So it’s a good thing that Krösche and sports director Timmo Hardung have already whirled in the background and convinced new players of the Eintracht project.
“We want to play international football regularly,” says Markus Krösche (left). He has signed Dino Toppmöller as the new coach. : Image: dpa
The fact that Ellyes Skhiri and Robin Koch, two established football professionals, have decided in favor of Eintracht and against other larger clubs may underline the status that the club has achieved at all levels in recent years. “Things are looking very good with the squad,” said Krösche. Toppmöller agreed with his boss. “These are two excellent players,” said Toppmöller, who first wants to get to know the team and then decide which playing and tactical options he wants to use in the triple load of the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Conference League.
“I like having players who have already experienced a lot in the central positions,” said Toppmöller. “We are very well positioned with the squad. I have total confidence in the sporting leadership. Markus has a good eye for players and a lucky hand when it comes to transfers.”
Of course, people asked about Randal Kolo Muani again and again. After the man without whose goals Eintracht would probably not have finished seventh in the table last season. Krösche said what he had to say and what is well known. All the trump cards are in Eintracht’s hands, as the Frenchman still has a long-term contract with no release clause. Above all: “He never told us that he wanted to go,” said Krösche. “We are not dealing with his departure.”
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Alongside Kevin Trapp, Koch, Shkiri, Sebastian Rode and Mario Götze, Kolo Muani is another one from the axis corset that Toppmöller considers important. And of course Toppmöller Junior also exchanged ideas with Toppmöller Senior. After all, father Klaus was initially a very successful Eintracht coach. “He rubbed my start record of 20:2 points under my nose,” said Dino Toppmöller. “I told him: You can keep him. That’s why I want to be a coach in Frankfurt for longer.”
