The man knows what he wants.

No wonder: at the age of 29, Philipp Max has already experienced a lot in the world of professional football.

His desire to achieve something is unbroken.

"I'm longing to play in the Bundesliga again," says the man, who wants to revitalize the left flank "with a lot of deep runs and speed advances".

Luca Pellegrini wanted that too.

But the loan deal with the 23-year-old Italian was a big disappointment and ended prematurely.

Ralph Weitbrecht

sports editor.

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Max is sitting in his new employer's professional camp on Wednesday.

It's his first public appearance - and yes, the seasoned soccer player presents himself confidently and with clear ideas.

"I know the system and the football of Eintracht," he says.

Mario Götze gave him intensive insights.

Studying various football games on TV also made it easy for him to become a border crosser when he was a footballer.

For two years, PSV Eindhoven has laced its shoes.

Götze was a valuable sidekick for Max in the Netherlands, and a source of ideas and advice.

"Mario is sensational at finding spaces," says Max.

He also considers the development of Eintracht “sensational”, who initially loaned him out from PSV until the end of the season and then, if nothing serious happens, will sign him permanently for the next three years until mid-2026.

Max is the man for the left flank, i.e. for the side where Filip Kostic used to spin and score goals to his heart’s content for years.

When Eintracht has to deal with relegation candidates Hertha BSC in their core Bundesliga business on Saturday, Max wants to be there.

He himself feels “really good”, as he says in a friendly chatter on the press podium.

"I'm fit and ready." Is Oliver Glasner ready to put Max in the Frankfurt starting XI straight away?

For many reasons, it was easy for Max to fulfill his longing dream of returning to the Bundesliga, where he once played the ball for FC Augsburg for five years, with Eintracht of all places.

"I'm hungry.

I want to prove it to myself again in the Bundesliga here in Frankfurt,” he says.

“The city here has everything you need to feel comfortable.” Max wants to find a place to stay for his family, who is still commuting, as quickly as possible.

His new boss has long settled down on the Main.

Eintracht coach Glasner lives right in the middle, is close to the pulse of time.

The Austrian soccer coach is one of the factors that made it easy for Max to agree to the loan deal.

Glasner and Max's former Eindhoven coach Roger Schmidt have many overlaps that the left wingman particularly liked.

"Both play active, intensive football," says Max. "With high pressing, quick ball wins and quick transitions.

There are many parallels between the two coaches."

Max is looking forward to the challenge of helping Eintracht on the left rail in the long term.

He wants to “think offensively and keep getting involved at the front.

The team is hot for success,” believes Max. “We are aiming for everything that is possible.”

It will finally be possible for the native Rhinelander to realize his dream of the Champions League.

Twice he was close with Eindhoven, twice failed to make it into the premier class.

With Eintracht, he now has a late chance to make it big.

"The Champions League has always been something I wanted to achieve."

To assert oneself internationally - it would not be the first time for Max. In the national team he can look back on three appearances.

He remembers the disastrous 0:6 against Spain and speaks overall of a "very good time".

More good times should follow in Frankfurt and with Eintracht.

With speed, deep runs and one or the other goal, the self-confident Max could play a major role.