Nuremberg's Chatzialexiou to join Frankfurt as head of sport

Joti Chatzialexiou is joining Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt as head of sport, leaving the same role at second-division Nuremberg.

The former German Football Federation functionary will move on February 1 and replaces Markus Krösche, the two clubs confirmed on Saturday. 

"It is important to me not to make the move immediately, but to work with my successor so that the club has a successful future," Chatzialexiou, who is of Greek heritage, said in a Nuremberg statement.

"Frankfurt's offer is special as it is my home-town club. Otherwise, I would not have thought about leaving."

Chatzialexiou is signing a contract until 2030 with the Eagles, who sit 14th in the Bundesliga.  

Nuremberg coach Miroslav Klose, appointed by Chatzialexiou in 2024, is sad to see his boss go with the side in third spot in the second-tier. 

"He was a close confidant," he told a news conference. "But ... I'm convinced the club will find a suitable replacement."

Krösche, viewed by pundits as one of the top transfer gurus in the Bundesliga, had asked to be released by Frankfurt and has been linked in the media with a sporting director job at AC Milan.