Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer is set to become Hoffenheim’s new manager.
Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker told Ufabet on Wednesday that 47-year-old Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer is the frontrunner to take over from sacked Pellegrino Matarazzo on Monday.
Christian Ilzer has been in charge of Sturm Graz since the summer of 2020, leading the club to victory over Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and two Austrian Cup triumphs, with the 47-year-old now a top target for Hoffenheim as they look to replace Matarazzo.
“I want to see it happen as soon as possible,” Schicker said of the new coaching appointment during the international break. “Chris is high on our list.”
“After a turbulent few days, I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and can hardly wait to get to know the players and staff,” Ilzer was quote in a team statement.
He replaces Pellegrino Matarazzo, who was sack on Monday following a 0-0 draw at Augsburg.
The decision was a reaction to the team being down in 15th place in the table, just one point above the relegation play-off spot, after 10 games and two wins.
“I know and appreciate Christian through our work together and I’m convinc that he’s the ideal coach for the idea I have in mind for Hoffenheim,” said managing director for sports Andreas Schicker, who just last joined Hoffenheim from Sturm Graz.
The two sides have been in preliminary talks for the past few days and plan to hold further discussions to reach a conclusion as soon as possible, with Register ufabet Germany reporting that Hoffenheim will have to pay Sturm Graz €1.5m-3m in compensation to bring Ilzer in as their new manager.