June 2013
Eintracht Frankfurt Unveil Tuchel
The former Mainz manager has signed a two-year deal
In what has come as a surprise to many Bundesliga fans, Eintracht Frankfurt have appointed former Mainz manager Thomas Tuchel as Head Coach on a two-year contract. Tuchel is one of three appointments at the club, as former Schalke and Wolfsburg employee Bernd Hollerbach joins as Assistant Manager whilst Leo Beenhakker, formerly of Real Madrid, Holland, Ajax and Feyenoord joins as Director of Football to work alongside Tuchel regarding movements made in the transfer market."To announce this triple signing is an exciting moment for the club," said Chairman Heribert Bruchhagen. "Tuchel had an outstanding record with Mainz and I believe he can take us to the next level. Before Thomas signed the contract, we had some exciting talks about where we both want to take the club and we agreed upon our ambitions for at least the next two years. He is a young, hungry coach who craves success. I am 100% he will be a success here at the Commerzbank-Arena."
To aid Tuchel's search for success at Frankfurt, the experienced Leo Beenhakker will give a helping hand with transfers.The pair have, according to Bruchhagen, had positive conversations regarding the dynamics of their relationship.
Eintracht Frankfurt's pre-season schedule sees them face six sides, including Rubin Kazan and English side Wigan Athletic. Capital club Hertha Berlin visit the Commerzbank-Arena in the first game of the 2013-2014 Bundesliga season.
"I'm very glad to be here," said Tuchel at his unveiling, "Frankfurt is a fantastic club with fantastic supporters. I've been in negotiations with the Chairman and board here for over a week now, and in that time I've had a chance to look around the facilities and consider my options. We're able to pack 51,500 supporters into this magnificent stadium, whilst the training and youth facilities are of a great standard. This football club has all the credentials to become a European force within the next few seasons and I hope to accomplish that," announced Tuchel, before continuing, "if I leave Frankfurt having not taken them into Europe, I'll regard my tenure as a failure. It's as simple as that."
