Wolfgang Luisser:

“I feel ready for the job as team boss!”

Wolfgang Luisser (right) with Jörn Andersen.(Bild: HFKA)

A man from Burgenland is interim team manager of Hong Kong! Wolfgang Luisser from Güssing takes over from the retiring Norwegian Jörn Andersen for the last two World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan.

The plan had actually looked a little different. "Three weeks ago, Jörn Andersen asked me if I would join him as assistant coach if he signed on with a club," revealed Wolfgang Luisser, who showed interest. Now he is replacing the Norwegian, whose assistant he has been for two years and who signed with the leaders of the 2nd Chinese league, as interim team manager of Hong Kong - because Andersen could only have taken an assistant coach with him who also speaks Chinese. Luisser will be in charge in the last two group matches for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan.

World Cup train has already left the station
With just one point from four games, Hong Kong are in last place and the promotion train has long since left the station. "Nevertheless, we want to sell ourselves as best we can," says Luisser. No wonder, as strong performances could be seen as an "application" for a long-term commitment as team boss. "I believe that our style of play with high pressing will be well received," the 44-year-old could well imagine, "I was Werner Gregoritsch's coach with the U21 team for four and a half years before this commitment and I feel ready to become team manager."