Accusation of espionage

Sturm captain talks about the future!

Stefan Hierländer talks about his future(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Before Sturm play Austria Klagenfurt on Sunday (14.30) to secure their first win of the season, captain Stefan Hierländer spoke to the "Krone" newspaper about his future. The all-rounder's contract expires at the end of the season. It seems clear where the journey will take him. Opponents Klagenfurt, on the other hand, are making "accusations of espionage" against Graz.  

Stefan Hierländer played 42 games for the Carinthians from 2008 to 2010 and was even the very young captain of Klagenfurt at the time. Sturm's midfield all-rounder, who was in the starting line-up for the first time this spring in the 1-1 draw in Lille last Thursday, takes his hat off to his former club. "They have a great team structure, stable defenders, a combative and playful midfield with fast men on the wing. And they're also difficult to break down up front," enthuses the 33-year-old.

Accusation of espionage against coach Christian Ilzer and Co.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The contract of Hierländer, long a legend under the clock tower with 269 games for the Blacks, expires after this season. "As things stand, it looks good that I will extend for another year."

Curious: "Hierli" no longer has a manager. "That's rare in our business. But I negotiated my last contract myself - it's just more direct," said the captain. "We're in final talks, it's looking very good. Maybe we can announce something soon," says sporting director Andreas Schicker, who has to shake his head at a report from Carinthia. A Sturm man is said to have spied on Pacult's team in training on several occasions. "We certainly don't send employees around the country to watch training sessions."