St. Pölten's Nentwich

“We don’t need to lose our nerve now”

Schlaudraff (left) & Nentwich(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Walter Luger)

After the Wolfsburg earthquake, St. Pölten begin to come to terms with the situation. The "Wolves" should not go down like FCN once did. While NÖFV president Hans Gartner has clear words on the matter, SKN officials are trying to calm things down.

The St. Pölten camp was not really surprised after VfL Wolfsburg's premature withdrawal from the cooperation. "We knew that they wanted to see our club in the Bundesliga and had to expect this decision after three years without promotion," says SKN president Helmut Schwarzl, who now needs a plan B. Especially as 17 players have long-term contracts - some of them expensive. "We are working on alternatives or a new strong partner." Which has to be found first. "We know that promotion will be difficult in the future without external help and are prepared for all scenarios."

For example, for departures in the management team. In addition to sporting director Tino Wawra, the future of coach Philipp Semlic (contract until the summer) is also in doubt. Schwarzl: "He didn't choose Wolfsburg, but St. Pölten." While Jan Schlaudraff, St. Pölten's sports managing director, was seen as the extended arm of VfL an der Traisen. "He is fully behind SKN. I believe that he has a future with us even without Wolfsburg."

"A lot has already been achieved"
As captain, Thomas Nentwich experienced the financial downfall of FCN in 1999, as sports director he does not believe in a similar fate for SKN: "We don't need to lose our nerve now," says the ex-professional, "we have to see what is possible and find sponsors. Some things have already been achieved, there are good talks."

NÖFV President Gartner also commented on the events in St. Pölten(Bild: urbantschitsch mario)

"No basis of trust"
The SKN usually spoke less nicely with the regional association, for example about the academy or association player regulations - President Hans Gartner commented on the situation as follows: "The high turnover of SKN officials simply does not create a special basis of trust, a club needs continuity..."