Krösche, Glasner, and Rode tender olive branch to Kostic: "Filip has nothing to be ashamed about."
Eintracht Frankfurt's trainer, sporting director, and team captain prepared to mend fences with Flip Kostic in statements published on the Eintracht Frankfurt website late Tuesday.
| Filip Kostic. | Photo: GEPA Pictures/Roger Petzsche |
Kostic's late gambit surprised many football watchers in the Bundesrepublik, with an editorial appearing on the online version of Germany's preeminent footballing publication even going so far as to call for him to be benched throughout the duration of the "Hin-runde".
Speaking to the Sky microphones after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bielefeld, both SGE sporting director Markus Krösche and acting captain Martin Hinteregger struck a conciliatory tone towards the disaffected attacker.
Such sentiments were later echoed by head-coach Oliver Glasner on Monday, even as the country's main sporting tabloid reported that the club may accept an offer for Kostic after all.
On Tuesday evening after the transfer deadline closed, the SGE tendered a full olive branch to Kostic via statements published on the club's website. Remarks from Krösche, Glasner, and (injured) team captain Sebastian Rode read as follows:
Markus Krösche:
"Our tasks [as administrators] remains that of ensuring the financial and sporting stability of Eintracht Frankfurt. That was, naturally, also the case here. Filip Kostic is a good lad and an outstanding football player. We are convinced that he can also be an important pillar for our team in the future."
Oliver Glasner:
"I have come to know Filip as an unquestionably proper player and person. We will use our common goals to work through what happened last Friday and then put it behind us."
Sebastian Rode:
"Filip has nothing to be ashamed about after three years with us. We will be overjoyed to welcome him back and work on the coming challenges together. We know that Filip is a top professional player. We have much to accomplish as a team this season as will certainly benefit from his quality."