Eintracht Frankfurt right-back Elias Baum will remain at the club, head coach Adi Hütter confirmed after Saturday's 1-0 preseason win over Waldhof Mannheim.
Hütter told reporters in the post-match media round that Baum would be staying at Eintracht Frankfurt. Minutes earlier, in an interview with the club's own channel, he had already said they would keep him.
The confirmation came after reports that both Hamburger SV and Borussia Dortmund had shown interest in signing the 20-year-old defender.
From doubt to trust
At the start of preseason, Baum was considered a doubtful case following a disappointing season in which he made just five brief appearances for Eintracht. Hütter said he had wanted to form his own opinion of the player from the outset, rather than relying on how the previous campaign had gone.
Baum had impressed while on loan at SV Elversberg during the 2024/2025 season. According to reports, Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Nils-Ole Book, who worked for Elversberg at the time, had also been open to bringing the young defender to Dortmund.
Praise for Baum's dynamism
Hütter now says he sees a dynamic full-back in Baum. He said a young player from the club's own academy has to be given a chance when he has the quality, and that Baum has it.
The Frankfurt-born player showed as much in Mannheim, setting up Jonathan Burkardt for the game's only goal. Hütter said he hoped the goal would give Baum a boost for the coming weeks.
Baum building confidence
Baum told the club's in-house media that in the last two matches, the coaching staff had focused with him on making sure his passes reached teammates in the final third. He said an assist like the one in Mannheim naturally builds confidence.
The right-back position became vacant after Rasmus Kristensen's departure. A move for Anton Gaaei, initially lined up as his replacement, has recently stalled, reportedly in part because Baum has impressed during preseason. Baum and Nnamdi Collins are now the two candidates for the right-back role in the squad.
A few days of rest
Baum and his teammates now have some free days, which are needed after a training camp week in Grassau and the match in Mannheim. He admitted after the final whistle on Saturday that he was very tired, and said he was looking forward to his bed and wanted to sleep.
