Hoffenheim sporting director insists head coach Christian Ilzer will remain in charge next season
Even prior to today's match, Hoffenheim made clear that rumours about head coach Christian Ilzer's dismissal after the season remained untrue. Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker emphasized this again even after a disappointing season ended with a 0-4 home thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich. Schicker spoke to Sky Germany after Hoffenheim officially clinched Bundesliga safety despite the loss.
'We are well aware that something has to change and that things cannot go on like this,' Schicker told Sky. 'I'm glad this season is over. The priority now is to work on the squad as quickly as possible. We know that the squad is too big, but we also need to bring in quality.
Advertisement
'We will definitely go into the new season with Christian Ilzer, as I've said several times in recent weeks,' Shicker continued with respect to the coaching situation. '[Ilzer] needs to be given a full training camp to work with the team.'
Neither Ilzer nor Schicker began the current Bundesliga campaign with die Kraichgauer. It's also worth mentioning that neither one of the two former Sturm Graz colleagues happen to be very popular figures with either the German press or the club fans.
Schicker's guarantee might not amount to much if the TSG supporters continue to pressure the board for greater changes. Not long ago, Hoffenheim management bowed to protests from the fans and ended their close cooperation with controversial agent Roger Wittmann.
GGFN | Peter Weis
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Could Sign Another £100m Forward After Florian Wirtz
Liverpool Plot Big Move for PSG Star Bradley Barcola in Summer Rebuild Liverpool's appetite for a transformative summer under Arne Slot shows no sign of slowing down. As reported by Caught Offside, the Reds are now seriously considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, one of Ligue 1's most exciting attacking talents. Advertisement With a sensational return of 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, Barcola's output speaks for itself. Despite this impressive tally, the 22-year-old Frenchman's future in Paris remains uncertain. The stiff competition for places at PSG, particularly in attacking areas, could push the winger to consider a new chapter elsewhere. Caught Offside states that both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are exploring a possible deal, with a £100 million fee floated. 'Liverpool are reportedly ready to battle Bayern Munich for the potential signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola,' the report explains. Photo: IMAGO Wirtz Arrival Signals Intent Liverpool have already made waves this window, with David Ornstein of The Athletic previously reporting that the club is closing in on a record-breaking move for Florian Wirtz. Slot's intent to rejuvenate his frontline is clear, and Barcola's name adds to an ambitious shortlist. Advertisement What makes this potential deal all the more intriguing is how Barcola could complement Wirtz in a reimagined Liverpool attack. Fast, intelligent, and technically sharp, the PSG man could provide a different dynamic on the left compared to current options. The report notes, 'Barcola is probably slightly more realistic than Isak,' with Alexander Isak's valuation rumoured at £150 million by Newcastle United. In contrast, Barcola's £100 million price tag, while still steep, may represent value in a summer defined by marquee deals. Comparison with Diaz and Gakpo Shows Promise A statistical comparison shared via DataMB highlights Barcola's efficiency and creativity. In particular, he outranks both Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo in assists, key passes, and ball carries. This raises questions about what Slot is planning, especially with Diaz regularly linked with a move to Barcelona. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement 'If Diaz were to leave, Barcola could represent a natural successor,' one Anfield source suggested. His youth, ceiling for development, and left-sided balance make him an ideal Slot-style player. Caught Offside rightly points out, 'Given that Barcola is still only 22, he could end up being a better player in the long term,' a key consideration for Liverpool as they look to future-proof their squad after lifting the Premier League title in May. Strategic Fit for Slot's System Under Slot's guidance, Liverpool's system is evolving. Fluid front-threes, high pressing, and positional interchanges are pillars of the Dutchman's philosophy. Barcola's ability to stretch defences, carry the ball at pace, and contribute both goals and assists from wide positions fits this model. Advertisement Liverpool's decision-makers are reportedly prepared to 'spend big on even more signings,' according to the Caught Offside article, even after Wirtz's likely arrival. This speaks volumes about Fenway Sports Group's trust in Slot and the club's readiness to compete with Europe's biggest spenders again. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis Liverpool fans will be licking their lips at this report. The idea of pairing Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola in the same attacking unit is pure footballing fantasy. Barcola's numbers already rival established names in the Premier League, and at just 22, his best years are clearly ahead. If Diaz is sold, many would feel gutted, but Barcola offers both continuity and upside. He's faster, statistically more productive, and plays with a swagger that feels tailor-made for Anfield on a European night. The idea of watching Wirtz operate in midfield while Barcola stretches defenders wide left is irresistible. Advertisement Arne Slot is clearly not here to simply maintain. Winning the title in his first season was a message, but following that up by building a young, explosive and tactically flexible squad shows ambition on a whole new level. Liverpool might have sat back and watched others dominate the transfer narrative in recent windows. Not this time. This is the summer of Slot, and Bradley Barcola could be the next name to light up the Kop.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wolfsburg sign Paul Simonis as new coach
A file picture dated 7 August 2010 shows the empty seats of the Wolfburg team players before the match against FC Everton in Wolfsburg, Germany. Jens Wolf/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa Wolfsburg have signed Paul Simonis as their new head coach, the Bundesliga club said in a statement on Thursday. Simonis joins from Dutch Cup champions Go Ahead Eagles and signed a contract until June 2027. Advertisement He replaces Daniel Bauer, who took over on an interim basis for the final two Bundesliga games of the season after Ralph Hasenhüttl was dismissed. "I'm really looking forward to working at a top level in a very strong and exciting league," Simonis said. Managing director for sport Peter Christiansen added: "It was an intensive process, at the end of which we opted for Paul Simonis. He fits our requirements profile perfectly." Wolfsburg start their pre-season training on July 9. Their first official game in the new season is the first round of the German Cup mid-August.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
🚨 Can he turn things around? Bundesliga club unveil new manager!
🚨 Can he turn things around? Bundesliga club unveil new manager! After a truly disastrous season, VfL Wolfsburg has just presented a new coach: Paul Simonis has signed a contract in the Autostadt until 2027. Most recently, the Dutchman worked for Eredivisie club Go Ahead Eagles Deventer. At the Wolves, Simonis succeeds Ralph Hasenhüttl, who was dismissed after the 32nd matchday of the past Bundesliga season due to continued lack of success. Ultimately, VfL finished the season in a disappointing eleventh place, once again falling far short of their own ambitions. Will Simonis be able to turn things around? Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 VINCENT JANNINK
