Ilzer confirms interest in Hoffenheim job

Sturm Graz coach Christian Ilzer has confirmed that he is interested in replacing Pellegrino Matarazzo at Hoffenheim.

When reports emerged that Pellegrino Matarazzo was to lose his job as Hoffenheim coach, Christian Ilzer was immediately named as a possible replacement.

Since Matarazzo’s sacking was made official, speculation has grown that Ilzer could be in line for the job, and the 47-year-old has now admitted that he’s tempted by the possibility of becoming Hoffenheim’s new boss.

Andreas Schicker, who himself left Sturm Graz to become Hoffenheim’s managing director for sport last month, is pushing for Ilzer’s appointment.

“I’ll say it as it is: there have been several things that have come up in the last four years, much more than ten times, involving good clubs. Now there’s something on the table again that I’m looking at. It’s a top-five league, the sporting director is Andi Schicker. The club, where it is now, can definitely be developed further,” Ilzer told Krone.

Ilzer seems to be hinting that his time in Graz could come to an end after more than four years. The conditions are right and he recently took a closer look at his potential new employer.

“I always said that something special would have to happen. It’s not easy to leave this place. I won’t leave Sturm Graz for Liverpool or Dortmund. That’s why I’m thinking about it and why I watched Hoffenheim for the first time on Sunday. My agent is in contact with Andi and I spoke to [Sturm Graz] president Christian Jauk today.”

Ilzer’s move from Sturm Graz to Hoffenheim could be completed in the next few days. However, with his contract set to expire in 2026, the Austrian side are likely to demand a significant fee to let him go.