Nervous Salzburg

Sturm’s reaction to the change of coach

The cup exit against Sturm was the beginning of the end for Salzburg coach Struber.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

That came as a surprise! After poor performances in the last few games, serial champions Salzburg fired coach Gerhard Struber early. His successor is the former Liefering coach and ÖFB assistant Onur Cinel. Daniel Beichler from Graz is now also making a career move to the Bulls. Sturm, however, is not really itching to make the change in the city of Mozart.

The "Krone" had already reported on Sunday evening, and on Monday it became official: champions Salzburg suspended coach Gerhard Struber after recent poor performances, ending the 47-year-old's era after just 34 competitive matches. "Of course I'm disappointed, especially as everyone knows how special this job in Salzburg was for me," said Struber on his departure. Managing director Stephan Reiter spoke of intensive final days: "There have been many discussions. Together we weighed up what was best for the club and the team and how we could increase the likelihood of winning the title again. We then met with Gerhard on Sunday evening and informed him that we were ending our collaboration."

Onur Cinel (left) is also assistant to team boss Rangnick.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Struber's successor has already been announced by Salzburg: Onur Cinel is to get the Bulls out of the crisis and lead them to their eleventh championship title in a row. The German-Turkish coach, who is part of team boss Rangnick's coaching staff and will be co-coaching at the European Championships, is an internal solution and was on the sidelines at Liefering until recently. He has been given a contract until the end of the season and will then return to the young bulls. "I already know the lads from training together. When I was asked, I didn't have to think twice," says the 38-year-old, looking forward to his new role. Daniel Beichler is making a career leap - at least for the time being. The Sturm home-grown talent, previously a successful U18 coach with the Bulls, is taking over Liefering in the second division on an interim basis.

Ilzer's eleven have achieved their goal
It remains to be seen who will take over as coach of the league leaders in the summer. Former Mainz coach Bo Svensson is said to be a hot candidate. He is already familiar with the Bulls' stable from his time at Liefering from 2019 to 2021.

Nothing has changed for us with the change of coach. We're not interested in what happens where and why. There are still six rounds to play, it can go either way quickly.

Sturms Sportchef Andreas SCHICKER

Title rivals Sturm aren't really bothered by the change. "Nothing has changed for us, our focus is on the final phase. We're not interested in what happens where and why," emphasizes sporting director Andreas Schicker. "Keep at it and make Salzburg nervous," the Blacks have been repeating over and over again in recent months. Christian Ilzer's team has already achieved this goal once. "We gave the perfect response to our 1-0 defeat in Graz. But there are still six rounds to play, it can go either way quickly."