Hoffenheim legend Andrej Kramarić on Christian Ilzer, UEFA Champions League, his future and more
Hoffenheim have got off to a flying start in 2026, with two statement wins from their opening two games against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen taking them up to third in the table. With Christian Ilzer at the helm and veteran striker Andrej Kramarić playing a pivotal leadership role after 10 years at the club, the Sinsheim-based outfit are on course to qualify for next season's instalment of the UEFA Champions League.
Now midway through his 11th season on the books at Hoffenheim, the Sinsheimer's record goal scorer with 150 goals in 344 total competitive appearances, Kramarić is more determined than ever to bring success to the PreZero Arena.
“I’m the same as I was 10 years ago. I’m still highly motivated, I train, I do everything I did 10 years ago. I still say age is just a number," the Croatian forward told the Bundesliga a decade on from joining on 20 January 2016.
"I still want to achieve a lot, remain ambitious, stay fit - which is the most important thing - and simply enjoy being on the pitch. That’s why I enjoy every second, every moment with this team, and that’s exactly what I missed last year.”
Watch: All of Kramarić's Bundesliga goals for Hoffenheim over the years
Referring to Hoffenheim's narrow escape from relegation last campaign, when the Sinsheimers finished just three points above the relegation play-off spot - a low point of the forward's time at the club - Kramarić has lauded coach Christian Ilzer and managing director of sport Andreas Schicker for how they have steered Hoffenheim from near the bottom of the table to the upper reaches.
Ilzer working wonders at Hoffenheim
"They have basically built a completely new team, and from the very first minute, from the first days, everything was done to make sure it worked. It’s not an easy job, but [Ilzer's] done it brilliantly," Kramarić admitted, adding: "I have to honestly say I congratulate Schicker and Ilzer, because they really made this happen.
“We’re playing a system now that really suits us, because we have exactly the right players for it. It looks like this system is perfect for us, and that’s the real art of what the coach has done."
However, despite the top-to-bottom overhauling of the Hoffenheim squad, the Croatian has remained a constant. Against Gladbach on Matchday 17 - in which he netted a stunning first-half hat-trick - Kramarić made his 302nd Bundesliga appearance, overtaking former VfB Stuttgart legend Zvonimir Soldo to become the outright Croatian record appearance maker in the German top flight.
"It was simply a dream week - absolutely perfect. I never dreamed of days like that. After 10 years, to score a hat-trick against Gladbach, as well as the atmosphere in the stadium, to have my family there, friends, and everyone together. Everything came together perfectly and I enjoyed every second of it," he confessed.
"They were incredible scenes and moments, especially with the fans, including over 3,000 Croatian fans. I don’t think something like that has ever happened before in history. That’s why I’m very proud and extremely grateful to experience something like this. One day I’ll tell my children about it – those 10 years at Hoffenheim, what a beautiful story."
Now, after such a strong first half of the season, Kramarić has his sights firmly locked on the dizzying heights of Champions League qualification.
"I said openly to the managing director during pre-season that I believe we have a great group. You can’t compare this season with last season, because the quality in the team is different. I could see straight away that we have many motivated, talented young players in the squad, and that with a bit of luck this year could become a top season," revealed Kramarić.
"We’re going to go after the Champions League. I can say that openly and directly because I can see that we’re capable of it and we’re showing it. In my opinion, we’re playing really top-level football, maybe just behind that of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. With a bit of luck – which we still have to earn – we can achieve something special by qualifying for the Champions League next year.”
Kramarić himself has fond memories of the playing in the Champions League with the Sinsheimers, having done so back in the 2018/19 season.
The No.27 reminisced on that campaign, telling the Bundesliga: “Five goals in six games for me, goals and performances against Manchester City, Shakhtar, and Lyon. They were incredible moments, great matches. We probably deserved even more at the time. We’ve also had a few Europa League seasons, and it’s amazing to think of achieving this again with Hoffenheim. I hope next year it’s the Champions League.”
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, and an extension yet to be penned, Kramarić was asked whether he would still be a Hoffenheim player come the 2026/27 campaign.
On his future, the Croatian stated: “Of course, it depends on the visions of the club, the players, the coaches, the management, and many other things. I believe I’m always very reliable.”
“I’ve been incredibly happy here for 10 years. We all know that. I enjoy every moment. I know I’m not going to play football here until I’m 50 – that’s normal. I’m no longer 18. But for me, the most important thing is that I’m highly motivated, I’m healthy, and I show that every weekend."
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