Hoffenheim hold talks with Lukas Kwasniok to replace Christian Ilzer in the summer | OneFootball

kicker reports that Hoffenheim have held talks with outgoing Paderborn head coach Lukas Kwasniok to replace Christian Ilzer in the summer.

Despite Hoffenheim more than likely avoiding relegation, the future of Ilzer is in doubt. So Hoffenheim have already begun to look for replacements.

Kwasniok is seen as the current hottest candidate for the job, and Hoffenheim are said to have already held initial talks with the Paderborn manager. Earlier this week, Kwasniok announced he will leave Paderborn at the end of the season, promotion or not.

St Pauli head coach Alexander Blessen is also linked to the role as he was once a Hoffenheim player. While Blessin also has the support of Ralf Rangnick, who played a pivotal role in making Hoffenheim the team they are today.

Other names are former Hoffenheim striker Sandro Wagner. Wagner was linked with the Hoffenheim job earlier in the season as a potential replacement for Pellegrino Matarazzo, but Ilzer was appointed instead. The former striker is currently the assistant coach of the German national team and is working on obtaining his coaching license.

Karlsruher SC’s Christian Eichner is also an option. Hoffenheim were said to want to appoint Eichner earlier this season, but he instead decided to stay at the Wildparkstadion and even extended his contract at the club; however, with KSC currently in mid-table in the 2.Bundesliga, and after a miraculous promotion push collapse earlier in the season, it may be time to leave.

GGFN | Jack Meenan