Eintracht Frankfurt brings back Adi Hütter as coach on a 3-year deal

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Eintracht Frankfurt appointed Adi Hütter as coach on Sunday, with the Austrian making a return to the Bundesliga and the club he left five years ago.

Hütter has signed a three-year contract with Frankfurt to replace Albert Riera, who left by mutual agreement last month after a short and turbulent spell in charge.

Frankfurt finished eighth last season, just outside the European spots.

“For me it’s very special and emotional to be coach at Eintracht again,” the 56-year-old Hütter said. “The time we had together in Frankfurt left a big impression on me and has always stayed with me.

“Looking back, I always had the feeling of having unfinished business. I’m therefore all the more pleased to get the opportunity to tackle this task with a lot of hard work, discipline and a clear focus.”

Hütter first took charge at Frankfurt in 2018, leading it to the Europa League semifinals in his first season. He left for Borussia Monchengladbach in 2021.

His last job was at Monaco, where he steered the team to a second- and third-place finish in the French league but he was fired in October after a poor start to the season.

“Adi Hütter stands for brave attacking football, clarity and discipline,” Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche said. “He’s shown in his career that he can combine fast-paced transitional play with possession – especially at Monaco, where he so effectively developed and stabilised one of the youngest teams in the league that they were able to establish themselves among the elite in France.

“After very good talks, we are convinced that we can advance Eintracht together. It’s an advantage that Adi knows the structures, the environment and the people in and around the club, and won’t really need a settling-in period.”

Hütter also guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian league and cup double before leading Young Boys Bern to the Swiss league title in 2018.

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