Eintracht Frankfurt have responded to their ongoing sporting crisis by relieving coach Dino Toppmoller of his duties with immediate effect. The Hesse club announced the decision on Sunday, less than 48 hours after a disappointing 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen.
With Frankfurst having started the new year with just two points from three matches - conceding nine goals in the process - a crisis meeting was reportedly held on Saturday by the club’s leadership, including sporting director Markus Krosche.
U21 coach Dennis Schmitt will take charge on an interim basis, working alongside U19 coach Alexander Meier. Eintracht face an away Champions League match in Azerbaijan against Qarabag Agdam on Wednesday.
"Dennis Schmitt and Alexander Meier are ready to take responsibility for Eintracht Frankfurt in this challenging situation," said Krosche.
"This gives us the necessary time to find a permanent solution for the coaching position."
Krosche praised Toppmoller as he departed: "We greatly value his expertise, professionalism, meticulous approach, and the way he interacted with the team."
However, the club’s sporting leadership "came to the conclusion that, given the recent downward trend, we need a new sporting impulse. So far this season, we have not lived up to our ambition of playing dynamic, aggressive, and compact football as Eintracht Frankfurt."
Second-worst defense in the league
Throughout the season, Toppmoller was unable to solve the team’s major defensive issues - 39 goals conceded in 18 matches is more typical of a relegation candidate than a team aiming for Europe.
Overall, Eintracht have won just one of their last nine competitive games, putting even the minimum goal of European qualification at risk. They were knocked out of the cup in the second round, and elimination from the Champions League could also come as early as January.
"I would have loved to continue working with this team and to keep facing the challenges ahead. But I accept the decision," said Toppmoller. "It’s a shame we won’t be continuing together."
Toppmoller took over as head coach on the Main in July 2023, succeeding Oliver Glasner, with a contract that was supposed to run until 2028. In his debut season, he led the club to sixth place in the Bundesliga, and the following year, a third-place finish secured the club’s first-ever Champions League qualification via the league.
However, after a strong start, this season saw a sharp decline in performances which Toppmoller was ultimately unable to halt.