Milan, new meeting planned with Krosche: aim is to put him in charge of the January transfer window
The executive, now ex-Eintracht but still under contract, is Cardinale’s choice for the sporting director role.
Time is running out. The defeat at Bournemouth has piled on the pressure. AC Milan began 2026/2027 on the back foot after a summer in which not all of Ruben Amorim's transfer requests were met, and they are still playing catch-up. Last night's Europa League match exposed the problem: AC Milan rested many regular starters, and Bournemouth had their starting 11 at their mercy for all 90 minutes.
With so many injuries, AC Milan will have to act in January. But who will handle their transfer business and negotiations? Cardinale has recognised the absence of a sporting director, an executive who knows "the pitch and football" rather than dealing only with data and algorithms. According to Sky Sport Germany, he will make a move in the coming days for the now former Eintracht Frankfurt executive Markus Krosche.
Sacked, but still under contract
The German executive has officially stepped down as Eintracht Frankfurt's sporting director. Krosche submitted his resignation, which the club accepted without releasing him from his existing contract. He has no duties at the club, but cannot sign for another club unless a penalty fee is paid.
In its statement, the club again stressed the length of his contract: "The supervisory board of Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG has accepted sporting director Markus Krösche’s request to be relieved of his duties with immediate effect. The contract, which runs until 30 June 2028, remains in force with the agreed amendments. We thank Markus Krösche for his successful work over the past years and wish him all the best for the future
New meeting
Milan have been in talks with Krosche for some time. He was the first name on Gerry Cardinale's mind as early as the summer, but those initial contacts left Eintracht Frankfurt's hierarchy bristling.
According to Sky Sport DE, the Via Aldo Rossi club, their directors and Krosche plan further direct talks about the future. Discussions have not yet progressed far enough to speak of an agreement.
The penalty to pay Eintracht
Krosche would have to free himself from his contract with Eintracht, which expires on 30 June 2028, before taking a job at another club, including AC Milan. AC Milan would have to pay, according to Sky Sport Germany, a penalty of between €5 million and €7 million if they really want to appoint him as their new sporting director.
Starting again in January with him
Today, Krosche officially told Eintracht he wants to take some time away from the pitch and work, but plans to return as early as January, when the transfer window reopens and could be particularly busy for AC Milan. He is so taken with the project Cardinale has presented to him that they could discuss bringing his return forward at their next meeting.
