Hoffenheim appoint Austrian double winner Christian Ilzer as new head coach
TSG Hoffenheim have appointed Christian Ilzer as their new head coach following the decision to dismiss Pellegrino Matarazzo.
The 47-year-old has left his post at Sturm Graz, who are currently top of the Austrian Bundesliga.
In a statement, Hoffenheim's head of football Andreas Schicker said: "I know and appreciate Christian through our previous work together and am convinced that he is the coach who ideally fits the idea that I have in mind for Hoffenheim. His style of play is all about clarity and high intensity. This fits perfectly with our DNA. He has proven in recent years that he is able to play attractive football with his teams and also to develop individual players."
Ilzer added: "There were several things that were crucial to my decision. Firstly, Hoffenheim is a very exciting club with a lot of potential, just like the team itself. In addition, Hoffenheim also play on the European stage, and last but not least, I have the special opportunity to work with someone I trust like Andreas Schicker again. After a busy few days, I am now really looking forward to the new challenge and can hardly wait to get to know the players and the staff."
On top of leading the Austrian top flight this term, Ilzer won the league with Sturm Graz last time out in 2023/24 and also claimed his second Austrian Cup.
The league triumph was Graz’s first since 2011, and booked them a spot in this season’s UEFA Champions League, marking their first campaign in Europe’s top-tier competition since 2001.
Ilzer has extensive coaching experience in his homeland, having retired from playing due to injury as a teenager.
Before Graz, he was head coach at Austria Wien, Wolfsberger AC and TSV Hartberg after various stints as an assistant.
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Ilzer joins a side that are currently 15th in the Bundesliga with nine points from 10 games. Last season Hoffenheim finished seventh, qualifying them for the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League.
In the UEFA Europa League, Hoffenheim have five points from four games, while they’re also through to the last 16 in the DFB Cup.
Ilzer now has the international break to prepare his side for the tricky task of RB Leipzig's visit on Matchday 11 in the Bundesliga.
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