Hoffenheim aims to quickly appoint a successor to Pellegrino Matarazzo following the American coach’s dismissal on Monday.

Talk to kickerTSG sporting director Andreas Schicker has confirmed that Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer is high on the Bundesliga club’s roster.

“I want this to happen as quickly as possible” said Schicker, who hopes to appoint a new coach during the international break. “Chris is at the top of our list.”

The first talks between the two sides took place in recent days and a new round of talks is planned. As further reported Sky GermanyHoffenheim is expected to pay the Austrian champions compensation of between 1.5 and 3 million euros.

In what is a developing story, Sturm Graz canceled Wednesday’s press conference at short notice, but this would not coincide with Hoffenheim’s interest in Ilzer.

This would reunite Schicker and Ilzer, if the nomination is confirmed. The first worked as sports director of Sturm Graz between May 2020 and October 2024.

Ilzer would also arrive at Hoffenheim with some pedigree, having won the Austrian Cup back-to-back between 2022 and 2024, as well as the Austrian Bundesliga last season, Sturm Graz’s first championship.