Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 10y

Frankfurt boss to step down

FRANKFURT -- Armin Veh will step down as Eintracht Frankfurt coach at the end of the season, the club announced on Monday.#INSERT
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caption:Armin Veh has endured a difficult season with Frankfurt fighting for their Bundesliga survival.
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Veh took charge of the Eagles following their relegation to the German second tier in 2011. The coach returned Frankfurt to the top flight in his first season in charge, and a year later qualified for Europa League.

However, the 2013-14 campaign has been a difficult one at der Riederwald; Frankfurt crashed out of the Europa League against Porto on Thursday, while the added stress of European competition has tested the side’s domestic capabilities.

A 2-1 victory at home to Stuttgart last Sunday steered Frankfurt six points clear of the relegation ranks, but Veh -- who won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 2007 -- put his decision down to a lack of perspective at the club.

"There are limits. But those are not really my goals," Veh told a news conference.

The 53-year-old said he "does not enjoy shaking the opposing coaches’ hand when I have lost a match."

The coach revealed that he made his decision during the club’s winter training camp in Abu Dhabi, but Frankfurt had asked him to delay the announcement: "That’s what I did. The CEO decides about the timing."

Frankfurt’s sporting director Bruno Huebner ruled out that Veh might have to end his Frankfurt career before the summer: "That’s ridiculous, he’s untouchable."

Huebner explained that Frankfurt have not found a replacement for Veh yet, and did not comment on reports linking former Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel with the job.

"We’ve made a name for ourselves with our refreshing attacking football," Huebner continued. "The new coach should continue on this path."

Veh, meanwhile, said he has no new club yet, but suggested he may to a break from football: “Maybe, I’ll take a break. I can confirm that I don’t have a new club in my backhand.”

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