One of Schalke’s rivals has extended its contract with its coach. He is one of the longest-serving coaches in the 2nd Bundesliga.

Christian Eichner’s future at Karlsruher SC was uncertain for a long time. Now it has been clarified: the 41-year-old has extended his expiring contract with the Baden-based club – without an exit clause. The new contract runs until 2027, and the collaboration with assistant coach Zlatan Bajramovic has also been extended for the same period.

Eichner has been with KSC since the beginning of 2020. This makes him the longest-serving coach in the second division after Horst Steffen (SV Elversberg) and Sascha Hildmann (Preußen Münster). By comparison, Karlsruhe’s rival Schalke 04 has had ten different coaches during the same period.

Continuity is paying off for Karlsruhe. Eichner has built a top team over time. After finishing fifth last season, KSC is currently fourth and in contention for promotion. Fans have long been dreaming of the club’s first Bundesliga season since 2009.

The fact that the contract extension took so long was therefore met with incomprehension – especially since those responsible and the coach had repeatedly emphasized that they could well imagine continuing to work together. Now KSC can finally put this matter behind them.

“We have had intensive discussions with Christian Eichner about the future of KSC,” said managing director Michael Becker about the extension. “It is very important to all of us that we have a shared vision of where we want to take KSC in the coming years. Christian Eichner is an important factor in the new strategy, which aims to increase the likelihood of achieving our sporting goals as well as our financial targets.”

Eichner himself emphasizes: “From the very beginning of the talks, it was our wish as a coaching team to continue on the path we have chosen with this team at KSC with maximum passion beyond the current season. We see the extraordinary team spirit that has developed over the years as the ideal basis for the club’s continued successful development at all levels.”