Focus on soccer

Line-up? When coaches have their best ideas

Likes to tinker with the line-up on his Vespa: Siezenheim's Peter Urbanek.(Bild: Peter Urbanek)

Coaches have creative phases at different times. Ideas come to them on the Vespa, at work or while cycling.

How do coaches come up with their line-ups? Many fans have often asked themselves this question. In the Salzburg League, coaches have their creative phases at different times. For Grödig coach Arsim Deliu, one thing is clear: "Football is omnipresent, I think about it 24 hours a day."

Seekirchen coach Mario Lapkalo agrees. "Every now and then the ideas come, it can happen anywhere." Sometimes at work for the car salesman. "When there's a break, I might make a note of the line-up," smiles the 50-year-old.

In his free time, Siezenheim's trainer Peter Urbanek can't get away from the leather either. "I often have the best ideas when I'm riding my motorcycle," says the coach. For example, he ordered full-back Maxi Ploner into the attack for the second time against Anif. He rewarded him with two goals.

Clear line drawn
Fresh air for reflection is also good for Kuchl's Tom Hofer. "When you're on the bike for two or three hours, you have time to think. It's often about simple things, how you can help the players."

Kuchl coach Thomas Hofer often has good ideas while cycling.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

Straßwalchen coach Bernhard Huber-Rieder has a completely different approach. "I try to switch off at home. At the weekend I go hiking with my girlfriend or I'm on the building site. I've started to stop watching the other results."