Eintracht Frankfurt - injuries & suspensions October 2026

Eintracht Frankfurt: 2026/27 season preview

Eintracht Frankfurt begin the 2026/2027 season with a new coach, although he is not a completely unfamiliar figure at the club. Adi Hütter has returned to Frankfurt after several years away, replacing Dino Toppmöller. The Austrian previously coached Eintracht from 2018 to 2021, when the team regularly finished in the top half of the table and was known for its attacking, high-intensity style of play. Hütter’s return is intended to bring greater consistency back to the side after it finished only 8th in the 2025/2026 season.

New coach and change of style

One of Hütter’s main tasks is to improve Eintracht’s home form. Last season, the team struggled to maintain the right level for the full 90 minutes, and its results were not enough to qualify for European competition again. The new coach has promised a more attacking, high-intensity approach built around a high press and winning the ball back more quickly.

Burkardt to lead the attack

Jonathan Burkardt will be central to Eintracht’s attack. The striker joined Frankfurt ahead of last season and scored 13 Bundesliga goals despite injury problems. From the start of pre-season, Hütter has made it clear that he sees him as his first-choice striker. The new coach’s style should suit Burkardt, who thrives on pressing high and transitioning quickly from winning the ball to attacking.

Can Uzun will also remain an important figure. The young Turk can play behind the striker and take responsibility in attack. On the wings, Hütter can call on Ritsu Dōan and Ansgar Knauff, while Younes Ebnoutalib and young Malik Pimpong add competition up front. The latter joined from FC Midtjylland and signed a contract until 2031. The 18-year-old Dane scored 20 goals in 26 appearances in the Danish U19 league last season.

Onyedika to fill the midfield gap

One of Eintracht’s most important signings is Raphael Onyedika. The Nigerian midfielder joined from Club Brugge and is expected to bring greater stability to the middle of the pitch. He is the kind of player Frankfurt particularly needed after Ellyes Skhiri’s departure. Onyedika is expected to combine ball-winning ability with quality on the ball and provide cover for his more attack-minded teammates.

Nathaniel Brown’s departure is a major blow for Eintracht. He moved to Bayern Munich this summer, depriving the team of an important defensive player and marking one of the squad’s most significant changes. Hugo Larsson has also left the club. The Swede, who made 119 appearances for Eintracht over three seasons, joined Fulham on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Arthur Theate, Rasmus Kristensen, Mahmoud Dahoud and Aurèle Amenda were among the other players to leave.

Defensive and goalkeeping reinforcements

A key defensive move was the signing of Lilian Brassier from Stade Rennais. The Frenchman is expected to replace Theate and form one of the first-choice centre-back partnerships alongside Robin Koch. Portuguese defender Otávio also joined Frankfurt from Estrela Amadora.

The goalkeeping situation has changed as well. Noah Atubolu has joined on loan from Freiburg and will compete with Kauã Santos for the starting spot. The 24-year-old German was previously Freiburg’s first-choice goalkeeper and, in recent seasons, set a club record by going 609 minutes without conceding and saved five consecutive penalties in the Bundesliga.

Eintracht aim to return to the European elite

Eintracht begin the season without European football, meaning fewer matches and the chance to focus on the Bundesliga and domestic cup. Expectations are nevertheless higher after the team finished eighth in the previous campaign. Hütter’s return is intended above all to give the side a clear identity and greater consistency.

Hütter knows the club and its expectations, but he must also build a new team after significant changes to the squad. Much will depend on how quickly the players adapt to his high-intensity style and whether Burkardt, Uzun and the other attacking players can deliver goals consistently.