Bobic named as Frankfurt's 'CEO sports'

The club announced the long-rumored appointment in a statement posted on their website on Wednesday, saying Bobic's position on the board would be known as "CEO Sports."

"I am delighted about the trust that the supervisory board of Eintracht Frankfurt has placed in me, as well as the very good, constructive discussions," Bobic said. "Eintracht is a big club. I know how big the footprints that my predecessor, Heribert Bruchhagen has left behind. I promise to work with all of my power for the success of the club," he concluded.

However, strictly speaking, the 44-year-old former sporting director of VfB Stuttgart doesn't appear to be directly replacing Bruchhagen, as he had held the position of chairman of the board, while Bobic is simply to be in charge of football. There was no immediate word on if the appointment could affect the role of Frankfurt's sporting director, Bruno Hübner.

Bobic, who played 285 games in the Bundesliga for Stuttgart, Dortmund, Hertha Berlin and Hannover, also made 37 appearances for the national team. He is to be officially introduced at a press conference on June 1.

The appoinment comes just two days after Eintracht beat second-division side Nuremberg 1-0 to win their two-legged relegation playoff and avoid relegation from the Bundesliga. This was also the last match as chairman for Bruchhagen, 67, who has gone into retirement.