MARKUS KRÖSCHE was named in SC Paderborn's Team of the Century - and even has the club to thank for meeting his wife. The Eintracht Frankfurt CEO, 44, is one of European football's rising stars in the boardroom. Krösche started his football journey in more modest surroundings, signing his first pro papers with Werder Bremen aged 15. He would go on to spend the majority of his career with Paderborn, where he became a club legend.
![[Markus Kroesche, Sporting Director of Eintracht Frankfurt, and his partner at the German Sports Media Ball.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/markus-kroesche-sporting-director-eintracht-973336878.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
As a tough-tackling midfielder, Krösche helped lift the club from the fourth tier all the way to the Bundesliga. Krösche played almost 400 games for Paderborn and skippered the side in the top-flight. But it was the club's mascot - mouse Holli - that had a lasting effect on the former German under-21 international. Speaking to BILD, Krosche revealed: "My [now] wife worked for an agency that marketed the mascot.
![[Paderborn soccer mascot Holli.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mascot-holli-paderborn-seen-prior-973337183.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
"She worked there alongside her studies and accompanied Holli to appointments as a photographer, among other things. "That's how we met.". FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. Krösche confirmed that his wife Viktoria would also help out as Holli on some match days. He added with a laugh: "It's true, yes. That's our story.". The pair now have two teenage daughters - Maya and Clara - with the family still living in Paderborn.
Krösche worked as a sporting director at RB Leipzig before landing his current role with Frankfurt. The club have enjoyed success in recent seasons, winning the Europa League in 2022 and finishing 6th in the Bundesliga last term. Krösche admits he was fortunate to enjoy such a stunning career - as he lacked "outstanding skills.". He added: "I wouldn't sign me at all because I didn't have any outstanding skills.
