In brief
Eintracht Frankfurt has elected former Nuremberg chief of staff Joti Chatzialexiou as its new sporting executive, effective February 1 2027. The 50‑year‑old will sign a contract lasting until June 2030 and will focus on youth development and club operations. Frankfurt president Mathias Beck praised Chatzialexiou’s professional fit and expertise, while the club’s current position in the second division underscores its ambition for a stronger future.
Eintracht Frankfurt announced on Thursday that Joti Chatzialexiou will become the club’s sporting executive, taking office on February 1 2027. The 50‑year‑old, who has spent the past three years as chief of staff at Frauen-Bundesliga side Nuremberg, will sign a contract that runs until June 30 2030.
Chatzialexiou will be tasked with overseeing player development and club operations following the departure of former sporting director Markus Krosche, whose contract had ended prior to the announcement. Frankfurt’s senior management indicated the club’s growing emphasis on nurturing young talent and integrating professional expertise into the first‑team pipeline.
"With Joti Chatzialexiou, we are gaining someone who is an excellent fit for our club, both professionally and personally," Frankfurt president and supervisory board chairman Mathias Beck told Xinhua. He added, "He stands for great professional expertise, clear ideas and a consistent commitment to developing young players."
Chatzialexiou began his senior football career in 2004, spending more than two decades in various positions with the German Football Association (DFB). Among his most recent DFB assignments, he oversaw the national teams and served as the director of youth development. In August 2024, he signed a two‑year extension with Nuremberg, which included a release clause allowing a move to Eintracht if an offer arose.
During his tenure at Nuremberg, the club currently sits third in Germany’s second division. He appointed former Germany international Miroslav Klose as head coach and played a notable role in squad development. The move to Frankfurt follows a long‑time relationship with the club’s regional youth structure, where Chatzialexiou previously coached several teams.
Speaker Notes and Background: Eintracht’s strategic vision now places a new sporting executive in charge of the club’s youth academy and first‑team recruitment. The club’s commitment to long‑term sustainability is reflected in the contract’s focus on gradual progression, with a multi‑year term that aligns Chatzialexiou’s plans with the club’s objective of returning to the Bundesliga’s upper echelon.
Uncertainties remain. No specific details about Chatzialexiou’s proposed reforms, internal restructuring or immediate transfer policy have been publicly disclosed beyond the promotion of youth development. The impact of these decisions on the club’s performance yet remains to be seen.
