Niko Kovac being hired away was a shock to the system in April but in the lead up Eintracht Frankfurt’s DFB Pokal title victory the Eagles found their successor in Young Boys coach Adi Hutter.
The name will not roll off the tongue but this is a man who knows what it will take to be successful in the Bundesliga.
Lets talk his successes and they are primarily recent. Leader of Red Bull Salzburg in their domestic title and cup double in 2014-15 with the looming shadow the the company’s bigger sporting interest, RB Leipzig. As seen in the Bundesliga the players who have been the leading stars of Salzburg are ‘promoted’ to the Leipzig team where the European carrot is easier to grasp.
While winning the domestic league and the cup along with it he lead the team into UEFA qualification. Despite falling at the final Champions League hurdle Butter had his squad respond in the Europa League group phase to picking up 16 of the 18 available points in the group phase before being drawn with Villareal of La Liga.
Knowing the talent that would be moved to the new toy for the Red Bull company Hutter signed to coach Young Boys of Bern in the Swiss Super League, a club that has competed at the UEFA table consistently. His task was to be that of bringing the title drought of over 30 years to an end. And in his third season he accomplished just that.
Young Boys under Hutter finished two consecutive season in second place to FC Basel as they were finding themselves just behind their rivals who used their Champions League money to rattle off eight consecutive titles in a row. But as the squad developed to the high tempo transition and high pressing game of Hutter 2017-18 had the pieces all come together for a first title since 1986-87.
For Eintracht going forward this new manager does have the European experience that the squad will need as with the Pokal win the club will be in the Europa League group phase. Being able to get the balance right will be key as with the group phase this will add six matches in the hinrunde to their schedule. Talent is there but will be tested more than before.
The style of Hutter’s Young Boys is one that will be good in the Bundesliga. Kovac had his teams go out and play each opponent tough, just ask Bayern fans. It is a hire that should pan out for Frankfurt as they plan on recruitment.
After a coach such as Kovac Hutter will be given time to implement his ideas as his predecessor was allowed to. This is the biggest club as of yet in his professional playing and coaching career but the signs are there for success. Signs pointing towards whichever direction will show during their USA preseason tour and hosting of Bayern Munich, now led by former manager Kovac, in the DFL Supercup in August.
Welcome Adi to the Eintracht.
