Eintracht Frankfurt Parts Ways with Dino Toppmöller Amid Struggles, Eyes New Coach

Eintracht Frankfurt has relieved head coach Dino Toppmöller of his duties following a dismal run of results, with the club seeking fresh impetus ahead of a crucial stage in the season. Despite a contract through July 2028, Toppmöller secured only one win in the last nine matches and faced defensive frailties that saw the team concede three goals in each of their last three Bundesliga games. Sports director Markus Krösche acknowledged the need for a change, emphasizing the team’s failure to meet expectations for dynamic and aggressive football this season.

In the interim, U21 coach Dennis Schmitt and U19 coach Alex Meier will manage the squad during the upcoming Champions League fixture against Qarabag Agdam. Several high-profile candidates are under consideration to fill the vacancy, including Marco Rose—who led RB Leipzig to a DFB-Pokal title—Roger Schmidt, Matthias Jaissle, who has coaching success in Saudi Arabia, and recently available Xabi Alonso.

Toppmöller had initially achieved notable success by guiding Eintracht to a third-place Bundesliga finish and UEFA Champions League qualification last season. However, his tenure was hindered by squad challenges this season, such as injuries to key players like Kaua Santos, the departure of defender Tuta, and underperformance in midfield and forward positions. Transfer window struggles prevented the club from adequately reinforcing these critical areas, exacerbating on-field issues.

Marc Schmidt of BILD described Toppmöller’s exit as a major setback for Krösche, whose vision for the team was undermined by mounting difficulties both on and off the pitch. The decision followed extensive discussions among club leadership, underscoring urgency as Frankfurt battles to stabilize their performance. The club currently holds the Bundesliga's worst defensive record, amplifying the call for new leadership.

As the search progresses, Eintracht Frankfurt hopes to identify a successor capable of restoring competitiveness and meeting the club’s ambitions for success in domestic and European competitions.