Possible replacement for under-fire Hoffenheim coach named

Sky Germany reports that Hoffenheim have identified Christian Ilzer as a possible replacement for their under-fire coach, Pellegrino Matarazzo.

With Hoffenheim 15th in the Bundesliga, just above the relegation zone after 10 games, the pressure is mounting on Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.

According to Sky Germany, Sturm Graz coach Christian Ilzer is the frontrunner to replace Matarazzo should he lose his job.

If Ilzer isn’t available, Hoffenheim will look to appoint an interim coach until the winter break, the report claims.

Following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Augsburg, managing director for sport Andreas Schicher sounded the alarm.

“The fact is that we have nine points after ten games. If you average that kind of points, you’re in danger of relegation. If you’re averaging that, it’s not going to be enough,” he told DAZN after the game.

“We’ll sit down next week and analyze everything. That would have been the plan regardless of the result. [Matarazzo] has done a good job. But it’s still the case that we have nine points after ten games.”

Matarazzo himself refused to be drawn into the speculation.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m not worried. I’m doing my job as well as I can,” he said.