Ketelaer's new role

A lot of good with the bad guys

Marcel Ketelaer

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Marcel Ketelaer left Admira at the beginning of February to become a player agent. A profession that is not highly regarded everywhere. But the incentive and mission were stronger than the skepticism.

"I'm off and running," laughed Marcel Ketelaer when the "Krone" asked him about Admira. He was the man who virtually changed sides at the beginning of February, vacating his position at Südstadt alongside sporting director Peter Stöger to become a player consultant.

An exciting step that the German-born player was reluctant to take. "But my doubts have completely disappeared, the response has been positive." The 46-year-old had been skeptical beforehand. Someone who had played 113 games in the German Bundesliga, 57 in the Austrian Bundesliga and was also a sports director, suddenly acting as an intermediary on the player market? Could be a target. "Also because this species is not viewed positively everywhere," says Ketelaer. The term "human trafficker" is heard again and again, and not necessarily quietly. Ketelaer tries to defuse the situation. "There are three components - club, player, advisor. The ideal case is that all three work." Not exactly easy.

No haggling with Stöger
The former winger benefits greatly from his past. "Because I know all areas." The appeal of accompanying players is his biggest driving force. "Maybe because I wasn't helped enough myself once. In the past, it was either you work or you don't."

The former winger benefits greatly from his past. "Because I know all areas." The attraction of accompanying players is his biggest driving force. "Maybe because I wasn't helped enough myself once. In the past, it was either you work or you don't."

Ketelaer is now observing the development of Malicsek (on the ball) from a different perspective.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Ketelaer works for the Swiss SBE Management AG and was practically recruited by their Austrian representative Emre Öztürk. Dortmund's keeper Gregor Kobel, who has a market value of 40 million euros, is one of the red-white-red clients, as is Lukas Malicsek, whose contract expires in the summer. Ketelaer at the negotiating table with his former partner Stöger? "Would certainly be exciting, but Admira have an option on Luki, which they will certainly take up." And which Ketelaer had anchored in his role as sporting director in Malicsek's last contract extension in 2022. . .