Hardung on making Eintracht great: The art of spotting talent | OneFootball

He is not a former footballer, he doesn’t have a big name in the world of football, yet Timmo Hardung, born in 1989, is one of the most innovative executives in European football.

Hardung, the man who made Eintracht great: “Let me explain the art of discovering talent. And letting them make mistakes…”

Sporting director of Eintracht Frankfurt, Hardung is the architect of the project that led the German club to turn young talents into gold, generating millions in profits while maintaining competitiveness on the field.

“I never played at a high level, but I had a dream and I worked hard to achieve it,” he says. “I started at 22 at Hoffenheim’s academy and made my own way.”

The art of scouting: “Letting young players be free to make mistakes”

Under his leadership, Eintracht has discovered and developed players like Pacho, Ekitiké, and Marmoush, bought for low fees and sold for record profits.

“There is no secret recipe,” Hardung explains. “You spot the talent, bring him to Frankfurt, and do everything to make him feel at home. If he’s young, you have to let him make mistakes. That’s the only way he truly grows.”

An approach that combines patience, trust, and planning—values often sacrificed in more impatient environments like Italy.

Player trading and results: a difficult but possible balance

Selling a lot but staying competitive: Eintracht has become a model of sustainable player trading. Despite the departures of stars like Kolo Muani and Ekitiké, the Germans continue to perform well in the Bundesliga and in Europe.

“When you lose players like that, quality drops. But if you know what you’re looking for and how to train the new ones, you rise again. It’s a fine balance between scouting and results.”

The choice of Toppmöller and the philosophy of courage

Hardung chose to entrust the bench to Dino Toppmöller, former assistant to Nagelsmann at Leipzig and Bayern Munich. A bold decision, rewarded by the results.

“With Dino we share the same vision: energy, courage, the desire to create chances. We accept the risks, even conceding goals. That’s the only way you grow and improve.”

The numbers confirm it: 22 goals scored and 19 conceded in 9 Bundesliga matches, and fluctuating results in the Champions League (5-1 against Galatasaray, but identical defeats to Atletico and Liverpool).

An impossible (but not too much) challenge against Napoli

Eintracht arrives in Naples to face Antonio Conte’s team in the Champions League, aware of the technical gap but confident in their own project.

“Napoli is in another category, but we have our weapons and we want to play our chances. We are young, but we know who we are.”

The new stars: Uzun, Burkhardt, Larsson, and Brown

Among the most promising names, Hardung mentions Can Uzun, Burkhardt, Larsson, and Brown: “They all have the potential to become top players, but the future depends on them.” And on the Italian market?

“No, no recent calls,” he smiles. “But I have excellent relationships with your executives: Lindström at Napoli and Nkounkou at Torino prove it.”

Fans excluded in Naples: “A defeat for football”

Regarding the away ban for German fans, after the incidents in 2023, Hardung is clear:

“I understand the authorities’ decisions, but it’s a defeat for football. The Champions League should be a show for everyone, as it was against Galatasaray with a full stadium.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.