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Former Eintracht Frankfurt captain Sebastian Rode is set to return to the Bundesliga touchline on Sunday evening as part of an extensive restructuring of the club’s sporting leadership. The 36-year-old will assume a more prominent role in the first-team environment, while sporting director Timmo Hardung takes on additional administrative responsibilities following Markus Krösche’s departure.
Rode’s new position represents an important step in his transition from professional football to club management. The former midfielder, who captained Frankfurt to their historic 2022 Europa League triumph, will serve as a liaison between the players, coaching staff, and sporting department. The development comes as Frankfurt reportedly close in on the appointment of 1. FC Nürnberg sporting executive Joti Chatzialexiou as Krösche’s successor.
Joti Chatzialexiou reportedly closing in on Frankfurt appointment
Frankfurt’s search for a new sporting executive also appears to be approaching its conclusion. As Get German Football News reported earlier this week, Frankfurt had narrowed their search to Nürnberg sporting executive Joti Chatzialexiou and RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer.
Recent developments suggest that Chatzialexiou has emerged as the preferred candidate. According to the Frankfurter Rundschau, negotiations are approaching completion. The newspaper reports that Chatzialexiou negotiated an exit clause into his Nürnberg contract when he extended his agreement in August. Frankfurt would reportedly be required to pay less than €1 million to secure his services.
The appointment has not yet been officially announced.
As GGFN examined in its extensive analysis of the club’s sporting restructuring, Frankfurt are seeking to establish a more sustainable approach to squad development while strengthening their domestic recruitment and academy structures.
Axel Hellmann explains the sporting department’s restructuring
Frankfurt CEO Axel Hellmann confirmed the organisational changes in an official club announcement on Thursday. Timmo Hardung, who previously worked closely with Krösche, has been entrusted with oversight of additional departments. The sporting director will now assume direct responsibility for Frankfurt’s medical operations and youth academy, both of which previously reported to the Board Member for Sport.
“Timmo Hardung has been tasked with overseeing all sporting departments in men’s football until further notice,” Hellmann explained. “The expansion of his responsibilities makes it necessary to shift the focus of his work away from the team and towards strategic and organisational matters.”
Rode’s integration into the daily first-team environment is intended to help compensate for Hardung’s reduced involvement in those activities. Hellmann emphasized the former captain’s suitability for the role.
“As a highly respected former player, Sebastian Rode brings valuable qualities through his experience, personality, and close connection to Eintracht Frankfurt,” Hellmann added.
Rode will therefore become an additional point of contact for the squad and coaching staff while Hardung concentrates on broader sporting operations.
Adi Hütter welcomes Sebastian Rode back to the bench
Rode returned to Frankfurt in September to begin a trainee programme designed to introduce him to different areas of the club’s operations. The former skipper will continue that programme within the sporting department from November 1, assuming additional responsibilities in the immediate first-team environment.
Rode’s extensive playing experience and close relationship with returning head coach Adi Hütter make him particularly well suited to the position. Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Frankfurt’s Bundesliga encounter with Hamburger SV, Hütter confirmed that Rode would join him on the bench.
“That’s why we’re bringing Sebastian closer to us,” Hütter noted. “It was my wish. He was my captain and has a good relationship with the boys.”
