Among the Eintracht Frankfurt players being deliberately pushed out the door this summer, it appeared as if yet another chapter in former German international Mahmoud Dahoud’s career was set to come to another disappointing close. Very little has gone right for the twice-capped senior international since his ill-fated move to Brighton back in the summer of 2023.
The former Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund keeper failed to catch on with the Seagulls and was sent back to VfB Stuttgart on loan during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign. Despite scoring off the bench, Dahoud only earned one start under VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
After his Brighton contract was terminated after the season, Dahoud joined Eintracht on a free in the summer of 2024. There was an emotional press conference during which – after an ill-fated stint representing Syria – Dahoud switched his allegiance back to Germany.
Dahoud began picking up regular minutes under SGE head coach Dino Toppmöller. Both Toppmöller and Krösche reserved special words of praise for Dahoud after an exceptional performance as starter against VfL Bochum on matchday nine. Dahoud scored a goal, notched an assist, and appeared on his way back.
That nevertheless proved to be an exceptionally cruel false dawn. Dahoud only featured as a starter twice more in the league after that early November 2024 match. He only earned three brief substitute appearances in the entire 2025 calendar year.
After being clearance to leave and being a total non-factor in training camp, Dahoud made only one of Toppmöller’s seven initial matchday squads this year. Then, out of nowhere, he opposed up as a midfield starter against Mainz on matchday 10.
Dahoud started again this past weekend against Köln, looking largely solid as a midfield “solo six”. Shortly before the half, Dahoud netted his 14th career Bundesliga goal. Bundesliga reporters feel gripped by a strange sense of deja vu.
In words reminiscent of those offered up just over one calendar year ago, Krösche and Toppmöller are once again praising Dahoud in the highest terms. Whether or not the latest developments prove to be a false dawn remains to be seen.
In any event, it appears Dahoud will receive more chances.
“He deserves it because he has simply kept at it over the last few months and has always been there for the whole group, despite his difficult situation,” Toppmöller remarked in an interview with Sport Bild. “He always gave his all in training and never backed down. He already played a decent game against Mainz. And this time it was all the more satisfying that he had this sense of achievement.“
“He’s had bad spells in his career before and has learned to deal with them,” Krösche is also quoted as saying in the Sport Bild article. “I think that helps him a lot. He’s always given his all and made himself available. Now he’s been given his chance.”
