Eintracht Frankfurt are navigating one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory, with an off-pitch upheaval threatening to overshadow whatever progress Adi Hütter's side makes on it. Sporting director Markus Krösche resigned with immediate effect on Sunday evening, ending a five-year tenure that brought Europa League glory in 2022 but unravelled sharply over the past 18 months. His appointment of Albert Riera as coach last winter is widely seen as the defining mistake of his final chapter, and a difficult transfer summer only deepened the sense that the relationship with the club had run its course. Reports emerged quickly that AC Milan are in advanced talks to appoint him as their new sporting director.

On the pitch, Frankfurt fell 1-0 at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, Maximilian Beier's late strike condemning them to a third defeat in seven league games. That result leaves them 14th with eight points, a position that reflects a side still searching for consistency. Hütter has not shied away from uncomfortable conversations within the squad, publicly criticising attacker Can Uzun for his attitude in training and demanding more from captain Robin Koch after the 0-6 collapse against Leipzig earlier in the month. Koch responded positively with a strong performance against Köln, and Hütter will expect a similar reaction from Uzun.

Frankfurt travel to Hamburg on Tuesday for a DFB-Pokal tie, a competition that offers a welcome chance to build confidence while the club works to appoint Krösche's successor.