Hoffenheim sporting director insists head coach Christian Ilzer will remain in charge next season | OneFootball

Even prior to today’s match, Hoffenheim made clear that rumours about head coach Christian Ilzer’s dismissal after the season remained untrue. Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker emphasized this again even after a disappointing season ended with a 0-4 home thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich. Schicker spoke to Sky Germany after Hoffenheim officially clinched Bundesliga safety despite the loss.

“We are well aware that something has to change and that things cannot go on like this,” Schicker told Sky. “I’m glad this season is over. The priority now is to work on the squad as quickly as possible. We know that the squad is too big, but we also need to bring in quality.

“We will definitely go into the new season with Christian Ilzer, as I’ve said several times in recent weeks,” Shicker continued with respect to the coaching situation. “[Ilzer] needs to be given a full training camp to work with the team.“

Neither Ilzer nor Schicker began the current Bundesliga campaign with die Kraichgauer. It’s also worth mentioning that neither one of the two former Sturm Graz colleagues happen to be very popular figures with either the German press or the club fans.

Schicker’s guarantee might not amount to much if the TSG supporters continue to pressure the board for greater changes. Not long ago, Hoffenheim management bowed to protests from the fans and ended their close cooperation with controversial agent Roger Wittmann.

GGFN | Peter Weis