Shortly before the start of the press conference at the ProfiCamp near Deutsche Bank Park, a clip featuring highlights of Sebastian Rode’s career was played on the media room’s LED screen. Eintracht’s UEFA Europa Conference League exit at the hands of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise means Rode has played his last European game for the club, with the 33-year-old set to hang up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Several days after that match, the Eintracht captain underwent surgery on a knee injury which has ruled him out for the foreseeable future. Rode joined board member for sport Markus Krösche at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, answering questions on …
… the game against Union SG and the days that followed:
Sebastian Rode: “The Europa Conference League game was very emotional, and the manner of our exit was very hard to take. When it became clear I’d played my last European game, I was overcome with emotion. My knee has responded well to the operation. I hope I get to help the team again – that’s my big objective. More than anything, I want to say goodbye on the pitch on the final day of the season.”
Markus Krösche: “Exiting the Europa Conference League was a shock. I noticed Seppl’s tears and felt particularly bad for him that we’d been knockout out of Europe. Throw in the news of his injury and it becomes very hard to take. I hope he recovers quickly and that he gets to play one or two more games.”
We definitely want him to stay with us once his playing days are over.
Board member for sport Markus Krösche
… the coming months:
Sebastian Rode: “I want to be with the team – that’s always been the case in the past. I want to support them as best I can from the sidelines. I’m always here on matchdays anyway, whether on the bench or in the stands. I’ll try to enjoy my time with the lads.”
Markus Krösche: “We definitely want him to stay with us once his playing days are over. He’s predestined to become an Eintracht Frankfurt ambassador. We want him here with his experience and knowledge. It’s his decision [but] we want him to stay with us.”
… the most enjoyable period and moment of his career:
Sebastian Rode: “There have been many wonderful moments, including my first spell with Frankfurt when we qualified for Europe in our first season following promotion – that was an incredible journey with the fans. Then there’s winning silverware with Bayern and Dortmund, lifting the DFB Cup with Eintracht, reaching the Europa League semi-finals before winning the competition – that’s definitely the highlight of my career. Those are successes with Eintracht that were never taken for granted or planned. They were extraordinary.”
… life after football:
Sebastian Rode: “That’s something I can hardly imagine – my whole life has always revolved around football. I want to stay at Eintracht in some capacity.”
