St. Pölten's head of sport

“I knew nothing about this option”

St. Pölten's sporting director Tino Wawra (left, next to former coach Helm) was disappointed.(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Walter Luger)

St. Pölten is only slowly calming the waters caused by Wolfsburg's withdrawal from the cooperation with the second division soccer club. The wrong communication strategy of SKN managing directors Jan Schlaudraff and Matthias Gebauer left its mark. Also with sports director Tino Wawra. The relationship between the two levels is - to put it mildly - chilly. There is an ice age at the Traisen.

No question: Wawra's move last summer from promoted BW Linz to St. Pölten proved to be a mistake for him in hindsight. "I had opted for a project with a German Bundesliga club and all their know-how, which was ruined after three months. In truth, Wolfsburg had already decided to end it in the fall!" What Schlaudraff and Gebauer could have guessed, but not Wawra. Because the exit clause that VfL had anchored in his contract was apparently concealed from him. "I didn't know about this option, otherwise I would have made a different decision."

SKN sporting director Tino Wawra with coach Philipp Semlic.(Bild: SKN St. Pölten)

The 44-year-old, whose contract in St. Pölten runs until 2026, is disappointed. Working with coach Philipp Semlic is extremely enjoyable for him, but that's about it at the moment. "I'm curious to see what comes next. Is there an investor? If so, is he serious? Will he bring in his own people?" Wawra ponders. According to information from Krone, St. Pölten is currently negotiating with two major sponsors brokered by Frank Schreier. The player advisor and former SKN consultant had already arranged the deal with Wolfsburg.

 If no new sources of money flow in, Wawra will have to reduce the squad. With so many long-term contracts, this is both unpleasant and difficult. "I'll wait and see - and think about what's best for my career." Understandable . . .