According to consistent media reports, Eintracht Frankfurt has managed a real personal coup: the new youth boss of Hessen will probably be the discoverer of today’s superstars like Leon Goretzka from FC Bayern and Ilkay Gündogan from Manchester City.
As the “Frankfurter Rundschau” and “Reviersport” report, Alexander Richter, head of the youth performance center (NLZ) at VfL Bochum, is drawn to Bundesliga competitor Eintracht Frankfurt for the coming season. Official confirmation of the move is expected shortly.
Richter is to sign a high-paying contract in Riederwald and be given far-reaching powers.
For the SGE, the commitment of Richter is an important step on the way to making its own youngsters more competitive again.
New NLZ boss becomes a top priority at Eintracht Frankfurt
According to the “FR”, sports director Markus Krösche made the attempt to poach Richter a top priority and was ultimately successful with his advances.
Richter’s job change comes as quite a surprise, as he is deeply rooted in Bochum and the Ruhr area and has been with VfL since 2008, initially as a head coach and training manager in the youth division, and since March 2011 as head of the NLZ.
Under his aegis, today’s national players such as Leon Goretzka (FC Bayern), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) and Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig) went through the Bochum youth teams.
Close relationship with Leon Goretzka from FC Bayern
Richter still maintains a close relationship with Goretzka, who moved to FC Schalke 04 in 2013 and five years later to FC Bayern. His departure is a real setback for VfL.
In Frankfurt Richter succeeds Andreas Möller, who will not be extending his expiring contract as head of the NLZ after the season after almost three years.
“After the end of my contract, I would like to devote more time to my private life and have more time for my family,” said the native of Frankfurt in the official club announcement on his farewell.