sunlit1688 Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer is set to become Hoffenheim’s new manager. sunlit1688

Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker told Kicker on Wednesday that 47-year-old Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer is the frontrunner to take over from sacked Pellegrino Matarazzo on Monday.

Ilzer has been in charge of Sturm Graz since the summer of 2020, leading the club to victory over Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and two Austrian Cup triumphs, with the 47-year-old now a top target for Hoffenheim as they look to replace Matarazzo. 

“I want to see it happen as soon as possible,” Schicker said of the new coaching appointment during the international break. “Chris is high on our list.” 

The two sides have been in preliminary talks for the past few days and plan to hold further discussions to reach a conclusion as soon as possible, with Sky Germany reporting that Hoffenheim will have to pay Sturm Graz €1.5m-3m in compensation to bring Ilzer in as their new manager. ( sunlit1688 )