Hoffenheim are aiming to move quickly to appoint a successor to Pellegrino Matarazzo after the American coach was sacked on Monday.

To talk to kickerTSG sporting director Andreas Schicker confirmed that Sturm Graz head coach Christian Ilzer is high on the Bundesliga club’s list.

“I want it to happen as quickly as possible” said Schicker, who hopes to name a new coach during the international break. “Chris is high on our list.”

Initial talks between both parties have taken place in recent days with another round of discussions planned. As further reported by Sky Germanyshould Hoffenheim have to pay the Austrian champions a compensation fee of between €1.5 million and €3 million.

In what is a development story, Sturm Graz canceled Wednesday’s press conference at short notice, but it reportedly does not coincide with Hoffenheim’s interest in Ilzer.

That would reunite Schicker with Ilzer, if the appointment were to be confirmed. The former worked as Sturm Graz’s sporting director 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.