Schützinger leaves

Next Western League team has to look for a new coach

After BSK 1933, the next Western League team from Salzburg announced the departure of its coach on Tuesday. FC Pinzgau will have to manage without Hannes Schützinger from the coming season. The 40-year-old will take on a new (double) role.

Actually, everything at FC Pinzgau Saalfelden is blissful. In third place, they are still right in the middle of the Westliga title race instead of just being there. They are also in the regional cup final on May 15 against SV Kuchl. The women's team is also doing really well. And the Pinzgauers are also on the upswing with their academy.

"It wasn't an easy decision"
However, the 40-year-old will leave the club at the end of the season. Schützinger is taking on a new dual role. On the one hand, the Pinzgau native will take over a youth team at the Red Bull Football Academy's southern training base in Lend. On the other hand, he will work as a talent coach for ten to 14-year-old children in the Salzburg Football Association. 

"The decision was not easy for me. But the opportunity in youth football was really tempting. Who knows if this opportunity would have come up again," said Schützinger, who informed his team of his decision on Tuesday evening.  

The board was somewhat surprised by the decision. They had actually wanted to extend the contract with the coach. They had been in intensive discussions for some time. "In the past few days, however, a new topic has arisen for him. We don't want to obstruct this new position in the youth sector for him and accept his wish," reads a statement from FC Pinzgau. In the coming weeks, talks will be held with potential coach candidates.