Eintracht Frankfurt are navigating one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory, with a significant off-pitch development now compounding an already difficult start to the season. Sporting director Markus Krösche left the club on Sunday evening with immediate effect, stepping down by mutual consent after more than five years in the role. The club confirmed that Axel Hellmann has been appointed as the new chief executive, while the search for a successor to Krösche is already under way. Reports suggest AC Milan are in advanced talks to appoint him in a sporting leadership role.

Krösche's departure follows months of growing tension. His reputation had taken a hit after the failed appointment of Albert Riera as head coach last season, a decision he later publicly acknowledged as a mistake. A flirtation with Milan over the summer further strained his relationship with the club's hierarchy.

On the pitch, Frankfurt picked up a much-needed 1-0 win over FC Köln on Friday to claim their second league victory of the season. The result lifted them to 11th in the Bundesliga table with eight points from six games, offering brief relief after the humiliating 0-6 defeat to RB Leipzig the previous week. That Leipzig loss had prompted coach Adi Hütter to publicly criticise captain Robin Koch, though he subsequently reaffirmed Koch's position in the squad. With a trip to Borussia Dortmund on 24 October next, Frankfurt face a stern test of whether their recovery is real.