Eintracht Frankfurt
Hinteregger on his resignation: Not so happy anymore in private
Looking forward to a life with less pressure after his football career: Martin Hinteregger. Photo: Arne Dedert/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
On the night of victory in Barcelona, Martin Hinteregger made the decision to resign. Despite great successes, private happiness diminished. He looks forward to a life with less pressure.
Martin Hinteregger also justified his retirement from professional football with private aspects. “The reasons matured in the fall when I didn’t play a few games. That’s when I got up in the morning and felt how beautiful life is when you’re not under pressure.”
“That’s when the first thoughts started,” said the 29-year-old, who canceled the contract with Europa League winner Eintracht Frankfurt, which was valid until 2024, and no longer wants to play football professionally in the future.
This decision was strengthened on the night of Barcelona when the Hessians won 3-2 at the Camp Nou. “In Barcelona, where we celebrated the greatest success in the club’s history, I got on the bus and thought to myself: now is the time when we get the win and then it’s time to start a new life,” said Hinteregger in the video interview published by Eintracht. Just over a month later, the Hessians were European Cup winners in Seville.
Also in the future for away games of Eintracht
The Austrian announced that he would continue to travel to the club’s away games from the Main metropolis in the future. “It was one of the hottest times of my life,” he summed up. Although he actually experienced the best year of his football career, in the end he was no longer so happy privately, Hinteregger said.
Hinteregger also commented again on the cooperation with FPÖ municipal councilor Heinrich Sickl. “I totally underestimated it. In that regard, I have to apologize in all forms. Everyone knows exactly how I am and how I tick and that I have nothing to do with that shit at all,” said the Austrian. Sickl had rented premises in Graz to the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement, as a journalist revealed. Hinteregger ended the business relationship and distanced himself clearly to the right.