Adi Hütter’s high-press blueprint wins praise from Jonathan Burkardt and Ritsu Doan at Eintracht Frankfurt camp
Eintracht Frankfurt forwards Jonathan Burkardt and Ritsu Doan have publicly endorsed new head coach Adi Hütter’s high-intensity, pressing approach during the club’s preseason camp in Grassau, saying the tactics and clarity of instruction have refreshed the squad after a difficult 2025/26 season.
Eintracht’s Grassau training camp has served as the first visible sign of Adi Hütter’s return to the club, with forwards Jonathan Burkardt and Ritsu Doan praising the coach’s emphasis on aggressive pressing and rapid transitions. Both players told Kicker that sessions have been noticeably more intense and that Hütter’s methods are already reshaping the team’s collective work-rate. Their endorsements arrive against the backdrop of a turbulent 2025/26 campaign in which Eintracht cycled through three head coaches, making the preseason period a critical reset.
Hütter’s high-intensity pressing installed in Grassau
Hütter has prioritized a proactive pressing game since arriving at camp, pushing the squad to win the ball early and create quick routes to goal. Training drills have emphasized coordinated pressure, quick vertical passes and immediate support after turnovers, signaling a move away from a cautious setup. Players and staff have frequently paused sessions for tactical instruction, reinforcing the coach’s detailed approach.
The tactical shift aims to shorten possession phases in the opposition half and convert recovered balls into chances without lengthy build-up play. That philosophy has been presented as both a physical and mental reset, with Hütter asking his players to maintain concentration and intensity for sustained periods. Coaches have been working on patterns of pressing triggers and covering runs so the front line and midfield operate as a single disruptive unit.
Burkardt: pressing and direct transitions suit striker’s game
Jonathan Burkardt said the high press and emphasis on fast attacking sequences match the type of striker he wants to be, and he feels comfortable in the role Hütter is outlining. He credited the coach with frequent corrections during drills and with involving players in tactical conversations, which has helped the forward understand his positioning and responsibilities. Burkardt also indicated that Hütter has asked him to shoulder more leadership within a youthful squad.
Arriving at camp in strong condition after a focused summer on fitness and nutrition, Burkardt described the current environment as constructive and energizing. He acknowledged that adapting to a new system takes time but expressed confidence in his ability to thrive within Hütter’s framework. The striker’s readiness to lead from the front was presented as part of his wider plan to turn a mixed first season at Eintracht into a personal revival.
Doan praises authority and tactical clarity
Ritsu Doan highlighted Hütter’s clear communication and authoritative presence, saying the coach’s instructions have given the squad a defined plan to follow. Doan noted that the certainty in roles and tactical principles has improved the team’s mood and focus during sessions in Grassau. The Japanese international welcomed the concreteness of the instructions after a period of positional uncertainty under previous management.
Doan also stressed that returning to a more familiar attacking position could unlock his best form, pointing to his previous Bundesliga campaign as a benchmark for what he can produce. He was candid about discomfort during attempts to deploy him deeper in midfield last season and said the current work on pressing and forward momentum fits his strengths. That alignment between player profile and coach instructions is a key component of Doan’s optimism ahead of the new campaign.
Players reflect on a turbulent 2025/26 campaign
Both forwards did not shy away from reflecting on the club’s difficult 2025/26 season, which was marked by coaching changes and inconsistent results. Burkardt described the previous year as exhausting and turbulent, admitting there were personal and professional moments that did not go smoothly. He said he has tried to put those episodes behind him and focus on the present rebuild under Hütter.
Doan similarly acknowledged that tactical experimentation and unclear roles contributed to an unsettled campaign, adding that clarity of position and purpose is essential for players to perform. The squad’s instability last season—exacerbated by managerial turnover and public tensions—has made this preseason an important opportunity to re-establish standards. Players are approaching the months before the Bundesliga restart as a chance to reset relationships and expectations within the team.
Fitness, leadership and personal revival at camp
Several senior players are using the Grassau period to address fitness, conditioning and leadership responsibilities ahead of the new season. Burkardt’s deliberate work on endurance and nutrition was singled out as evidence of a broader professionalism in the squad’s preparation. Hütter has encouraged experienced and emerging figures alike to take ownership of dressing-room standards and on-field intensity.
Doan and Burkardt both set personal targets for performance and consistency, viewing the coach’s tactical blueprint as the vehicle to achieve those aims. The emphasis on pressing demands high physical standards and collective discipline, which has shaped training plans and individual regimes. Club staff have also introduced targeted conditioning sessions to ensure the team can sustain a demanding style across 90 minutes.
Early indicators and tactical implications for the Bundesliga season
The early signs from Grassau suggest Eintracht could enter the Bundesliga season with a sharper identity and clearer roles for attacking players. If the pressing structure takes hold, the team could generate more high-quality transition opportunities and reduce reliance on extended possession. That shift would mark a notable change from phases of last season when tactical indecision and inconsistent pressing left Eintracht vulnerable.
However, translating preseason work into competitive consistency will require sustained buy-in across the squad and the management of fitness throughout a congested calendar. Hütter’s capacity to convey his ideas decisively and to make measured adjustments during matches will be tested once the results start to matter. The coming weeks of friendlies and tactical refinement will give a clearer picture of whether the new approach can deliver the stability supporters and club leaders are seeking.
Players, staff and supporters will be watching pre-season fixtures closely as the first measure of progress, but the tone set in Grassau—high energy, clear roles and a pressing identity—gives Eintracht a defined template to build from. The challenge now is consistent execution, injury management, and integrating new tactical habits into competitive match situations.
The positive reaction from Burkardt and Doan provides an early vote of confidence in Adi Hütter’s return, but the ultimate assessment will come on the pitch when the Bundesliga resumes.
