A EUROPA LEAGUE manager took his motivational ploy for his players to a new level. Christian Ilzer was hired as the boss of Hoffenheim in November 2024 as he replaced Pellegrino Matarazzo. Ilzer, 47, was tasked with dragging the Bundesliga side away from the threat of relegation while competing in the Europa League. The Austrian took on the role with the club in 15th place and just one point above the relegation zone.
![[Christian Ilzer, coach of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, gesturing during a Bundesliga match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NINTCHDBPICT000972883010.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But to inspire his squad he made the decision to perform a bizarre motivational speech. Sport Bild claimed that in December, ahead of a game against Freiburg, he left the team stunned with his speech. During the moment, he wore a chef's hat with an apron as he stirred an "imaginary magic potion". Throughout the speech he added "ingredients for a successful game" in order to inspire. It is then believed that he spoke of "more spice" and revealed real chilli peppers to the watching players.
![[Hoffenheim's next five games schedule.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/the-sun-22-23-next-5-games-a2a011dd-501a-4940-90cd-3df250982824.png?strip=all&w=960)
Ilzer then moved on to the team needing "manly strength", and to demonstrate this, he presented them with a dildo. It is thought he said: "You have to be just as hard as this dildo.". CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Following the bizarre speech, Hoffenheim managed to earn a respectable draw against Freiburg, which put an end to a run of three straight defeats. However, since then, the team has only managed four wins from 17 matches under Ilzer.
