- Title: Frankfurt and Hoffenheim prepare for Friday's Bundesliga match
- Date: 8th December 2016
- Summary: ZUZENHAUSEN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (German) HOFFENHEIM COACH, JULIAN NAGELSMANN, SAYING: "If I were surprised then I wouldn't have any trust in my team, my side and my coach team, it would be more a coincidence then, and it isn't a coincidence. We have worked hard, we have some very good ideas from time to time. The fact that we haven't lost yet is already surprising, but these kind of surprises are very welcome, especially outside the Christmas season."
- Embargoed: 23rd December 2016 16:35
- Keywords: Frankfurt Hoffenheim soccer Bundesliga
- Location: ZUZENHAUSEN AND FRANKFURT, GERMANY
- City: ZUZENHAUSEN AND FRANKFURT, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Reuters ID: LVA0055C0WWFZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Eintracht Frankfurt coach Niko Kovac said on Thursday (December 8) he was happy to extend his two-year contract with the team as he felt it would give him the chance to go on with his personal project.
"We feel very comfortable here and have the opportunity to build something here, with the support of (Sporting Director) Fredi (Bobic), we have the opportunity to follow the path we have set and that is a nice situation for us at the moment, and so we feel good," said Kovac, whose brother and assistant coach Robert Kovac has also signed a two-year extension.
"We know that there will be days where it might be a bit less sunny, but nevertheless we are positive, we are euphoric, and we want Eintracht to perform better than it might have in the past, and that means that we must continue to work hard," he added.
The 45-year-old took the reins of the team in March this year and successfully led them to safety via a two-legged relegation play-off before guiding them to the top six this season.
Frankfurt are enjoying their longest unbeaten run in six years, with 25 points after 13 games.
Only unbeaten Hoffenheim, who have the same points as Frankfurt but lead them on goal difference, and Leipzig, have gone longer without defeat in the Bundesliga this season.
Kovac suffered his only home defeat as Frankfurt coach against Hoffenheim in April 2016.
"You will see that the principles with which Hoffenheim play are always to be seen, and it doesn't matter which system and we have already seen a lot, but I believe we still have a lot to show and that we will find the right solution tomorrow, so that we find the right answers to our opponent's attack," Kovac said.
Hoffenheim come from a fine 4-0 win against Cologne last week and are seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Nagelmann's side have four wins from seven visits in Frankfurt, and he hopes to extend the streak.
"We are looking forward to it, to the chance to play a top game again. We would like to win, not to be on equal points, and therefore we will give it our all," he said.
"We have worked hard, we have some very good ideas from time to time. The fact that we haven't lost yet is already surprising, but these kind of surprises are very welcome, especially outside the Christmas season," he said with a smile. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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