"Something special"

Christian Ilzer is tipp3 coach of the year

Christian Ilzer is tipp3 coach of the year!(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Christian Ilzer is tipp3 coach of the year in our "Krone" poll. The Styrian completed the hat-trick of titles. The trophy goes to his new home.

A year ago, Christian Ilzer narrowly missed out on the podium in fourth place in the Krone poll. But this year, the 46-year-old crowned himself "Coach of the Year"!

Christian Ilzer (left) with tipp3 managing director Georg Weber(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Unsurprisingly, his path has been paved with success since he took over at Sturm in July 2020. "This title is something special and a great honor, because the fans collected and voted for me," emphasizes the Styrian, who reminisces about his childhood in the hour of his triumph. "Back then, I eagerly cut out and sent in my own ballot papers for my heroes and my favorite club." Who did his ballot heart beat for? The successful Graz coach doesn't make a murder pit out of it. "For Sturm and Ivica Osim, of course!"

Christian Ilzer with the winner's trophy(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

The coach of the year is also delighted that he is the third Sturm coach to receive this award after Sturm's coach of the century Osim and champion Franco Foda. "This shows once again what a great fan community this club has. The supporters really go the extra mile."

tipp3 coach of the year

1. ILZER Christian (Sturm Graz) 43,424 votes
2. RANGNICK Ralf (team manager) 38,566
3. SAGEDER Thomas (LASK) 36,790
4. KLAUSS Robert (Rapid) 33,201
5. SCHMID Manfred (Wolfsberg) 29.670
6. WIMMER Michael (Austria Vienna) 24,443
7. PACULT Peter (Austria Klagenfurt) 19.432
8. FUHRMANN I. (Team leader women) 18.490
9. SCHOPP Markus (Hartberg) 18,200
10. SCHEIBLEHNER Gerald (BW Linz) 16,327

"Weg macht alle Freude"
 The trophy will have a special place. Not at the training center, but at the Ilzer home near Vienna. "I only moved into it with my family last November. That's where the trophy will go," smiles Ilzer, emphasizing: "This title belongs to the club and the entire coaching team, I'm just one part of it. We all work hard and want to be able to look in the mirror every evening and tell ourselves that we have given everything for this club. We have gradually built up something at Sturm. The path we are taking is exhausting. But it's fun for everyone!"

The rewards are impressive: Cup winners and runners-up in 2023! Which is why Ilzer also became a title hamster last season: he won the coach category at the Bruno Gala as well as the Bundesliga vote. With the Krone trophy, he secured the title hat-trick. "It's a great feeling," says Ilzer, who wants to knock Salzburg off the league throne with Sturm. Then the next victories will probably beckon ...