Milan remain determined to land Krösche
AC Milan are not abandoning their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt's sporting director Markus Krösche, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Despite reports from Germany that the Bundesliga club are unwilling to let their technical staff leave ahead of the summer transfer window, the Rossoneri hierarchy remain hopeful of striking a deal.
Background: Milan's search for new directors
Milan have been without a formal sporting director structure since the departures of Igli Tare, Geoffrey Moncada and Giorgio Furlani in May. The club is eager to rebuild its leadership before the 2026–27 Serie A season, with Krösche identified as the ideal candidate to take over as technical director or head of football. He would reportedly be joined by his Frankfurt colleague Timmo Hardung, who currently works alongside him at the German club.
The pursuit intensifies
Over the past week, Italian media have repeatedly named Krösche as Milan's number one target. The 44-year-old has earned a reputation as one of Europe's sharpest sporting directors, having overseen the signings of talents like Randal Kolo Muani and Jesper Lindstrøm during his time at Eintracht. Earlier this month, some outlets even claimed that agreements were already in place with both Krösche and Hardung, generating excitement among Milan supporters.
Conflicting reports and criticism
However, the German reaction has been swift and firm. Local reports insist Eintracht Frankfurt have no intention of releasing their directors so close to pre-season, with the club determined to build on a third-place Bundesliga finish and a return to the Champions League. Some outlets went as far as to criticise Milan for an "amateurish" approach to negotiations, suggesting that Krösche himself was left annoyed by the premature speculation.
"Eintracht are determined to keep their man, but Milan believe they can still turn his head," a source close to Gazzetta told Football Italia. "The project at San Siro is ambitious, and the Rossoneri are willing to be patient."
What next for the Rossoneri?
Time is of the essence for AC Milan, with the summer transfer window already open. Securing Krösche would be a significant coup, and his arrival could immediately enhance the club's pulling power in the market. However, unless the Germans soften their stance, Milan may be forced to explore alternative targets. For now, the saga remains delicately poised, with Gazzetta adamant that the Rossoneri will not give up without a fight.
Quick Facts
Target: Markus Krösche (Sporting Director, Eintracht Frankfurt)
Desired role at Milan: Technical director / Head of football
Potential colleague: Timmo Hardung (current Eintracht Frankfurt employee)
Current Milan vacancy: Following exits of Tare, Moncada, and Furlani in May 2026
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia
Key Takeaways
- Milan are still trying to bring Markus Krösche from Eintracht Frankfurt to lead their technical department.
- German reports insist the Bundesliga club will not let him go, with some criticism of Milan's handling of the situation.
- Milan have been without a sporting director since May, making the appointment urgent for the upcoming campaign.
- Krösche is highly regarded for his player recruitment, making him a prime target for the ambitious Rossoneri project.
- If the move falls through, Milan will need to quickly pivot to other candidates.
