Eintracht Frankfurt – where to go with all the coal?
Eintracht Frankfurt benefits enormously financially from the European Cup victory, but wants to continue to do business sensibly.
Frankfurt – Anyone who now thinks after Seville’s great European Cup victory that Eintracht Frankfurt will go on a big shopping spree with the Champions League qualification behind them and let it rip on the transfer market is on the wrong track. All those responsible, even in the intoxication of success and even the largest tribune of the people, step on the brakes with full force. Even someone like Peter Fischer, who was around the final of the emotional lighthouse of harmony and ignited a veritable firework display, is confidential on this topic. “We won’t tear down all the loans and just buy one just because we qualified for the Champions League,” said the 66-year-old. “We don’t do hara-kiri.”
Chairman of the Supervisory Board Philip Holzer, who celebrated the triumph exuberantly and enthusiastically and was carried away by his feelings, also prefers to remain cautious as a former investment banker. “We want to grow slowly, step by step”, protocol of the influential functionary, a master of numbers. “And we always want to take people with us.” That’s not just important to him.
Markus Krösche from Eintracht Frankfurt: “We have to work cleverly and upstream”
And sports director Markus Krösche does not want to change his transfer strategy fundamentally, although he actually has the greatest interest in having as much money available to set up the team in such a way that it can master the enormous challenges. “Of course, this is financial income, which is extremely good for us after two years of Corona,” said the 41-year-old. “That will help us immensely for the future. But we have to work cleverly and upstream.” The pandemic just burned 70 million euros. The additional income from the international competitions comes at just the right time.
But there will not be any superstars at any moon prices. The team, which has to prove itself in the Bundesliga and the premier class, should be strengthened with a sense of proportion. Nothing should be done that the club will regret later. There are several examples of clubs that, if successful, have turned the salary spiral upwards in order to be competitive. So much so that they could hardly meet their obligations if they were unsuccessful. It’s playing with fire and can get a club in serious trouble. Success, as the saying goes, is where the biggest mistakes are made. And there are enough officials, including old driver Heribert Bruchhagen, who warn against rash action. Such a one-time participation in the premier class also harbors dangers.
It would certainly be wrong to break up the structure of the team, including the salary structure, now. She has defined herself through an inner unity and a strong team spirit – envy debates or star players with the appropriate salary torpedo this spirit. Those in charge know this only too well.
Most recently, the triumphant march through Europe with the coronation on Wednesday put Eintracht in a different light. It’s no longer a medium-sized Bundesliga club that answers and asks if there might be interest in a commitment, but the reigning European Cup winner and soon-to-be Champions League participant. That’s sexy. No question. Peter Fischer also concedes. “It’s a bit easier in acquisition when you can say you don’t know if you’re playing Liverpool or Real Madrid, but maybe you’re interested in being there. That sounds better than Greuther Fürth,” said the President. Despite all the understatement and restraint, Eintracht will of course be able to land one or the other player who would not have been possible without the final victory.
Especially since Eintracht has made up an enormous amount of ground. The Europa League has brought in more than 30 million euros, the Supercup final brings in at least 3.5 million, and in the national TV money table the club has almost all the attacks of the competitors on the last day (2: 2 in Mainz). can still fend off, so that an additional five million euros will quickly flow here as well. Of course, the expenses related to the games and the not insignificant bonuses for the players have to be deducted.
And: Real money can be earned in the Champions League. The initial fee alone quickly amounts to 16 million euros, there are 2.8 million for a win, and ten million euros would quickly be due for qualification for the round of 16. There are also bonus payments from the so-called market pool. Of course, due to the coefficient regulation, Eintracht would not pocket as much as the Champions League tribe, but all in all it is a huge sentence in difficult times. Especially since viewer income is added. To clarify: In the past season, only Bayern earned the knockout phase of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg but also well: BVB came to 62.9 million, Leipzig to 45.5 million and the VfL to 36.5. The differences can be seen in the performance-related bonuses (victories) and the club coefficient rankings, in this sector Wolfsburg (6.8 million) fall far less than Dortmund (26.2).
Axel Hellmann from Eintracht Frankfurt: “The Champions League will demand a lot from us”
Eintracht will also use their income to strengthen equity, which has dwindled in recent years and is to be increased through additional capital measures. But of course she WILL experience her squad, maybe even pay a transfer fee, which would not have been possible before. The club should be prepared to “invest more,” said board spokesman Axel Hellmann. “The Champions League will demand a lot from us. But we will not abandon the basic philosophy.”
And maybe there will be one or the other player who would have gone, Filip Kostic, for example, who was named “Europa League Player of the Season” by Uefa on Friday. Great honor for the 29-year-old, who set up seven goals and almost single-handedly killed FC Barcelona. A deserved award. Just like that for Ansgar Knauff, who was voted best young player. A few months ago, word got around, the high-flyer was still playing in the third division. (Ingo Durstewitz)