Football Season Guide

Eintracht Frankfurt enjoyed one of their most successful campaigns in recent years last season as they lifted their first major trophy since 1988 after securing a shock win over Bayern Munchen in the DFB Cup which was enough to help them secure a place in the Europa League. Coach Niko Kovac masterminded a fairly consistent campaign, managing to delay a second half collapse in form until the final weeks before recovering in time to pick up the trophy. Kovac though has left the club, taking over at Bayern Munchen, and Frankfurt will be looking for a successful new era under yet another untested name after appointing Adi Hutter, with the Austrian coach having spearheaded Young Boys to a comfortable stroll to the Swiss championship last season. Frankfurt have spent a busy summer so far with regards to transfers and have seen a few big name departures including that of captain Alexander Meier who was released at the end of his contract. Other first choice departures include Lukas Hradecky, who was signed as replacement to Bernd Leno by Bayer Leverkusen, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Omar Mascarell and Marius Wolf who had shown great potential with some consistent displays last season. Frankfurt have managed to convert a couple of loan moves into permanent transfers with both Ante Rebic and Carlos Salcedo signing up on long term deals. Frederik Ronnow is expected to start the season as the first choice in the goal after completing a move from Brondby, while Goncalo Paciencia, Lucas Torro and Evan N'Dicka show good promise but are unknown entities in the Bundesliga. Frankfurt are the weakest in the midfield, losing almost all of their first choice players during the transfer window though Hutter will be hoping that Torro will provide the steady hand needed along with fellow new signing Allan Souza who has arrived from Liverpool on a loan deal. Marc Stendera should also get more minutes after being shunted out of the first team picture last season while Jonathan De Guzman and Marco Fabian will provide the creative spark should they manage to avoid any serious injuries this season. It will be a season of transition for Frankfurt but they should finish comfortably in the top half of the table and even emerge as potential Europa League challengers should the new coach and players gel together quickly.