Eintracht Frankfurt has announced the departure of head coach Dino toppmöller, bringing an end to his tenure with the Bundesliga club after just over a year and a half. The decision,revealed Sunday,follows a string of disappointing results at the start of 2026 and a review of the team’s recent performance,with sporting Director Markus Krösche citing a “declining advancement” as a key factor. U21 and U19 coaches Dennis Schmitt and Alexander Meier will take the helm on an interim basis as the club begins its search for a permanent replacement.
Eintracht Frankfurt has parted ways with head coach Dino Toppmöller. Club officials made the decision following a disappointing start to 2026. The search for a replacement is underway.
Eintracht Frankfurt and head coach Dino Toppmöller have mutually agreed to separate, the club announced Sunday afternoon. The move comes after a review of the team’s recent performances, particularly the results from the first three games of the new year.
Krösche Cites “Declining Development”
“Dino Toppmöller always fully identified with Eintracht Frankfurt and worked with great passion for this club every day,” said Sporting Director Markus Krösche. “We appreciate his professional expertise, his professionalism, his meticulous approach, and his respectful treatment of the team. Nevertheless, after an intensive internal evaluation, we in the sporting leadership and jointly with the board have come to the conviction that we need a new sporting impetus due to the declining development in recent weeks. We have so far failed to live up to our claim of being a dynamic, aggressive, and compact football team as Eintracht Frankfurt.”
Toppmöller also released a statement, saying, “I would have liked to continue working with this team and face the challenges that lie ahead. But I accept the decision. I went to Eintracht with great passion and joy every day, and regardless of the current unsatisfactory situation, which undoubtedly exists, I am proud of what we have achieved together in the past two and a half years.”
Toppmöller took the reins as head coach of the Hessen club in the summer of 2023, leading them to a historic Champions League qualification last season – becoming the first coach to achieve the feat via Bundesliga placement.
Frankfurt Struggles to Start the New Year
The Frankfurt squad has shown inconsistent form under Toppmöller this season, particularly at the start of the new year, conceding nine goals and earning only two points from their first three matches.
Following a 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen last Friday, Krösche stopped short of publicly backing Toppmöller, leading to Saturday’s crisis meeting and ultimately, the decision to part ways.
Schmitt and Meier to Lead Team in Champions League
Frankfurt will face Qarabag Agdam in the Champions League on Wednesday (6:45 PM local time), with U21 head coach Dennis Schmitt and U19 coach Alexander Meier taking charge on an interim basis, the club confirmed. The long-term replacement for Toppmöller remains to be seen.
“Dennis Schmitt and Alexander Meier are ready to take responsibility for Eintracht Frankfurt in this challenging situation,” Krösche added. “This gives us the necessary time to fill the head coach position permanently.”
