Milan: who Marcus Krosche is, the leading candidate for the Head Football role, and all the talents he has developed
Why Milan have chosen Krosche: he unearths and develops talented players, then sells them for a fortune
Markus Krosche has emerged as AC Milan's number-one target to become Head of Football, with a final agreement now close. Eintracht Frankfurt's staunch resistance stalled talks last summer, but the timing now looks right: Gerry Cardinale has decided to press ahead with the appointment. The 46-year-old executive has submitted his resignation, which the German club have accepted.
Who is Krosche?
Before becoming an executive, Krosche played in midfield, coming through the youth ranks at Werder Bremen and becoming a club stalwart at Paderborn.
The year he retires, Krosche takes charge of Paderborn's second team. He then follows his former team-mate and coach Roger Schmidt to Bayer Leverkusen.
Less than two years into his spell there, Leverkusen sack him in March 2017. He returns to Paderborn as sporting director, starting his third career in football. He takes Paderborn from the third tier back to the Bundesliga. In 2019, RB Leipzig bring him in to replace Rangnick. With Leipzig, he reaches the Champions League semi-finals in 2021, then resigns that same year with one year left on his contract.
He joins Eintracht Frankfurt and, over four years, builds a side that wins the Europa League in 2022 and finishes third in 2025. He also proves adept at spotting talent and selling it for a fortune.
Also important for outgoing transfers
Krosche has become the Bundesliga's king of transfer profits. Kolo Muani and Marmoush both arrived on free transfers before joining PSG and Manchester City for 95 million and 75 million respectively. Ekitike cost more than 30 million when he joined from PSG, then Liverpool paid 95 million for him. Krosche also spotted Pacho at Antwerp and brought him to Germany for 13 million before selling him to PSG for 40 million. AC Milan lacked that eye for a deal last summer.
More talents unearthed
His tenure includes the deal for Nkunku, bought for around €20 million and later sold to Chelsea for around €60 million. At Leipzig, he signed Dani Olmo for around €35 million and saw his estimated value rise to more than €60 million. Then came Dominik Szoboszlai, bought for around €36 million and sold on or valued at around €72 million. Ebnoutalib could be next. He previously spent time in Italy at Perugia but was spotted at Elvesberg in Germany's second division. Bought for €8 million, he has already scored five goals in six Bundesliga matches and won over Klopp, who has called him up to his Germany squad.
