Eintracht Frankfurt confirm Markus Krösche, who was in talks with Milan last summer, has left the club ‘at his own request.’
German football director Krösche has left Eintracht Frankfurt with immediate effect, the club confirmed on Sunday.
Eintracht said Krösche left at his own request, and the board “unanimously” approved his immediate release from his duties.
Official: Milan-linked Krosche leaves Eintracht Frankfurt
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – MAY 16: Markus Krosche, Sporting Director of Eintracht Frankfurt looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart at Deutsche Bank Park on May 16, 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Krösche’s contract, which expires on June 30, 2028, remains valid “with adjustments,” Eintracht said.
“The decision was preceded in recent weeks by good, open and trusting talks between Markus Krösche and the chairman of the supervisory board, Mathias Beck, about the sporting present and future of Eintracht Frankfurt and further cooperation,” Eintracht added.
“Markus Krösche has decisively shaped Eintracht Frankfurt in recent years and played a major role in the successful sporting development of our club,” Eintracht President Mathias Beck said.
“Winning the Europa League, participating in the Champions League, and the further development of our team exemplify this extraordinary period. For this, he deserves our deepest gratitude and our express appreciation.”
Krösche was in talks with Milan last summer as the Rossoneri were looking for a new director of football after sacking former CEO Giorgio Furlani and sporting director Igli Tare.
PISA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Igli Tare of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and AC Milan at Arena Garibaldi on February 13, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
At the time, Eintracht refused to release the German director, but Milan are still looking for a new director of football, so they could resume talks with the 46-year-old in the coming weeks.
“The past few years at Eintracht Frankfurt have been an extraordinary, intense, and unforgettable time for me,” Krosche said.
“We celebrated great successes together and further developed the club both on and off the field. Winning the Europa League and the many special moments with our fans will always hold a special place for me. I am very grateful for that.
“Over the past few months, I’ve been intensively reflecting on my personal situation and my professional future. After more than five very successful, but also very demanding years at this fantastic club, I’ve recently developed the feeling that I need a change – and that a fresh impetus might also benefit Eintracht. When you reach this point, you inevitably lose some of the necessary drive for such a challenging task. I’ve discussed this openly with Mathias Beck. Because my own ambition is to fulfill such a responsibility with complete conviction at all times.
“Therefore, I asked Mathias Beck to release me from my duties with immediate effect. This gives both Eintracht and me enough time to reorganize for the future. I also wanted this clarity before the members’ meeting because it’s important to me to say goodbye there in person.
TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Gerry Cardinale, President of AC Milan, looks on before the Serie A match between Torino FC and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on August 23, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“I am very grateful to Mathias Beck and the Supervisory Board for the open, fair and trusting discussions, as well as for the respectful handling of my request.
“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my fellow board members. The collaboration was very open, trusting, and successful.
“My special thanks go to all employees, coaches, players and of course our fantastic fans. Eintracht Frankfurt will always remain an outstanding club for me, and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Milan started a new project over the summer, hiring Ruben Amorim as their new coach, but are still looking to complete the control room by hiring a new football director and/or a new sporting director.