Official | Christian Ilzer replaces Pellegrino Matarazzo as Hoffenheim head coach

Hoffenheim have announced that Christian Ilzer will replace Pellegrino Matarazzo as head coach after the American was fired earlier this week. 

Ilzer was previously head coach of Sturm Graz in Austria, whom he led to the Austrian Bundesliga title last season beating Red Bull Salzburg in the process. Sturm Graz were also competing in the Champions League this season. 

On why he joined Hoffenheim, Ilzer said: 

“There were several things that were decisive for my decision. Firstly, Hoffenheim is a very exciting club with great potential, just like the team itself. In addition, TSG also plays on the international stage, and last but not least, I have the special opportunity to work with a trusted person like Andreas Schicker again. After turbulent days, I am now really looking forward to the new challenge and can hardly wait to get to know the players and the staff.”

The Austrian signs a long-term contract in Sinsheim while his assistant coaches in Austria Dominik Deutschl and Uwe Hölzl also join him. Marco Angeler will join the team as a fitness coach in December. 

Managing director of Hoffenheim Andreas Schicker, who replaced the departed Alexander Rosen earlier this season, was also involved at Sturm Graz working alongside Ilzer to build the championship-winning side before he moved to the Bundesliga. 

Hoffenheim are currently 15th in the Bundesliga and one nine points after only winning two games this season against Holstein Kiel and Bochum. While in the Europa League, they are in the playoff round positions in the new league phase of the competition. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan