How Eintracht Frankfurt Have Progressed Despite Marmoush’s Departure to Manchester City

While Manchester City may not be enjoying the same level of success this season as they have in prior years, a standout moment in the 2024/25 campaign has undoubtedly been the impressive form and reliability of their January recruit, Omar Marmoush.

The 26-year-old Egyptian forward arrived at the Etihad Stadium for a significant fee of £59 million and is believed to have secured a four-and-a-half year contract that will keep him at the club during the peak years of his career.

It was largely due to his stellar performances at Eintracht Frankfurt—where he flourished as both a goal-scorer and an exceptional all-round player—that Pep Guardiola made the push to sign him mid-way through the 2024/25 season, as opposed to waiting for a hectic summer transfer window, especially during the season surrounding the Club World Cup.

His tally of 37 goals and 19 assists in 65 appearances for Frankfurt made him a prime target, especially for a club that was underperforming in the Bundesliga.

Finishing sixth with 47 points in the 2023/24 season might seem satisfactory at first glance. However, a closer examination highlights some troubling realities.

Borussia Dortmund, who finished just one spot above Frankfurt, were a considerable 16 points ahead, while champions Bayer Leverkusen concluded the season 43 points clear with a stunning 90-point tally.

Amongst the top seven teams in the Bundesliga for that season, Frankfurt scored at least 15 goals fewer than any of the six teams above them, with a solitary goal difference of +1, leaving them 24 goals behind the nearest rivals.

Toppmoller’s Frankfurt thriving this season

When Marmoush was allowed to move on to new horizons halfway through the 2024/25 season, many expected Dino Toppmoller’s side to falter.

In a surprising twist, that has proven to be far from the case.

As this article is being written, Frankfurt is contesting a two-legged Europa League quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur and currently sits comfortably in third place in this season’s Bundesliga, trailing only Bayern Munich and Leverkusen.

If they can maintain their position in the upcoming matches – with Bayern already out of reach and Leverkusen close to it – this season will be deemed quite remarkable for the Frankfurt team.

They’ve already secured more victories in the Bundesliga this season (14) than they achieved throughout the entirety of the previous 2023/24 campaign (11). With a tally of 55 goals scored so far, only Bayern and Leverkusen have netted more.

Remarkably, 52 of those goals have been netted from within the penalty area, indicating that Toppmoller encourages a more economical approach from his players when it comes to capitalising on scoring opportunities.

The side began the year with a seven-match unbeaten streak, marking a first for them.

Whether it’s luck or careful planning, Frankfurt’s younger players have returned to form under their manager, and the results speak for themselves.

Striker Hugo Ekitike, who was once linked with several Premier League outfits, is now among the Bundesliga’s elite, boasting an expected goals (xG) tally of 18.48, while 19-year-old Can Uzun has recently netted his fourth goal in the German top-flight.

The pace at which Eintracht transitions from defence to attack has posed challenges for both domestic and European opponents this season. This youthful fearlessness is undoubtedly reflected in how the team approaches each match.

Gotze continues to shine at the top level

On the opposite end of the spectrum is veteran German World Cup winner, Mario Gotze.

With three goals and two assists to his name this season, he currently ranks joint fourth in the entire Frankfurt squad, having played in six different positions over the course of the campaign, making it difficult to pigeonhole the 32-year-old.

Having played over 300 Bundesliga matches, along with countless others in European competition, Gotze continues to make a significant impact on the team’s success.

Endeavours like passing accuracy also reflect a squad keen to control the game and dictate tempo. Many players maintain a pass completion rate in the mid to high 80s, with Robin Koch leading the way at an impressive 91.2% this season.

Defensively, they have been equally proactive, with Gotze making 40 attempted tackles, ranking third in the squad behind 21-year-old Nathaniel Brown’s 53 and Rasmus Kristensen’s 49.

Another promising talent in the squad, 21-year-old Nnamdi Collins, has also shown a willingness to engage, attempting 22 tackles, 15 of which were successful.

Marmoush’s departure was advantageous for all

When reflecting on the situation from a neutral perspective, it may be concluded that Marmoush’s transfer was beneficial for all involved.

It has enabled the player to showcase his skills at a higher level while allowing Frankfurt to become more versatile and creative in their approach on the pitch, rather than relying heavily on Marmoush as they may have before.

Similar to how Paris Saint-Germain have adapted post-Kylian Mbappe, a reduced dependence on a single player has empowered others to flourish.

While they may not currently be among Europe’s elite teams, if Frankfurt continues on this trajectory, it won’t be long before they are regarded alongside the best in Europe.

Stay tuned for Eintracht’s quarter-final first leg against Spurs.