The official Bundesliga website, when discussing the influence of Adi Hutter at Eintract Frankfurt a couple of years ago, drew a comparison between the then-Commerzbank Arena boss and one Antonio Conte.
But fear not Leicester City supporters. Hutter, if he does replace Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium, is not going to scowl his way through the season while throwing daggers in the direction of all those who dare to test that hair-trigger temper.
The comparisons between Hutter and Conte were less to do with their personalities, and more to do with their tactical approach. Or, at the very least, their preferred formations.
Adi Hutter could replace Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City
During three years at Frankfurt, and one at Borussia Monchengladbach, the 53-year-old Austrian often utilised a 3-4-2-1 or a variation thereupon.
“A three-man back line flanked by dyed-in-the-wool wingers – right and left footers on their respective flanks rather than the inverted variety – and a flexible front three has become his go-to set up,” the Bundesliga website explains.
“There’s also a clear preference for experience over youth. He only changes a winning team when injuries or suspensions force his hand.”
Leicester, in contrast, favoured a flat-back four under Rodgers. Hutter, then, may take some adapting to if, as BILD reporter Christian Falk suggests, he really is one of the frontrunners to take over in the King Power dugout ahead of what feels like one of the most decisive two-month spells of Leicester’s modern history.
A fully-fit Ricardo Pereira and Victor Kristiansen certainly feel capable of thriving in a wing-back system; athletic, all-action wide defenders who love to contribute in the final third. Hutter, at Frankfurt, helped complete Filip Kostic’s evolution into one of Europe’s most consistent – if underrated – wide players.
A young Marc Albrighton would have been ideal for Hutter’s system but, at 33, lacks the requisite speed these days, and is out on loan at West Brom anyway. If the former BSC Young Boys coach does get the Foxes job, don’t be surprised to see him prioritise a pair of specialist wing-backs in the summer transfer market.
Hutter the striker whisperer
Further forwards, one aspect of Hutter’s potential arrival which should excite is his superb track record when it comes to centre-forwards. Luka Jovic, Ante Rebic, Sebastien Haller and Andre Silva were all outstanding under Hutter at Frankfurt. Breel Embolo, meanwhile, also took a few giant, belated strides towards reaching his vast potential at Gladbach in 2021/22.
This bodes well for Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka; two players who flitted in and out of form under Rodgers. Hutter likes mobile, creative attackers such as Alassane Plea, Marcus Thuram and Rebic, giving them the freedom to rove around the final third and link play. James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Tete could shine in similar roles, protected by a technically-sound but not-particularly-adventurous central midfield duo.
Given Hutter’s preference for experience in key areas, it would not be a shock to see Papy Mendy feature from the start more regularly. Perhaps at the expense of the talented but inconsistent Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Experience is key
Hutter, at Frankfurt, also relied heavily upon captain and now-39-year-old Makoto Hasebe; the industrial strength superglue at the heart of his back three. 35-year-old Jonny Evans, if he can maintain fitness, is the closest thing Leicester have to a Hasebe-like figure.
A shift from a four to a three-man central defensive set-up, meanwhile, could potentially be the key to unlocking the very best of Wout Faes.
The poodlehaired Belgian not only looks like David Luiz, he also plays like him too. Feast or famine, risk or reward; Faes loves to dive in and try and win back possession high up the pitch. With only one other centre-half alongside him, such an approach often leaves Leicester exposed.
The addition of two more centre-halves instead would minimise the riskiness of Faes’ all-action defending.
“(The Premkier League is) the most interesting league in the world,” Hutter tells Kicker. I could develop further there. There is no boring football, it goes up and down.
“It’s hard to beat the top teams. But teams like Everton or Bournemouth are always going forward (playing attacking football). It’s not about having possession all the time.
“So I think my idea of football is very good in this league could fit. Especially since there are many fast players there.”
Hutter is also reportedly in the mix to take over from Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace this summer. With the Leicester vacancy open immediately, however, will the Foxes strike while they have the chance?
My big goal is the Premier League. (My agent and I) are working on that,” Hutter adds. “There may be one or another option.
“There were several interesting inquiries last year, including from the Premier League. But that would have come too soon.”
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