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Altach goalgetter Gustavo Santos will probably remain with the Rheindörfler for longer.(Bild: GEPA)

After Altach's home defeat against WSG Tirol on August 3, sporting director Roland Kirchler had clear words on Sky: "We started with the coach a year ago and are now going through a really bad phase. We have to consult with each other and will have to drop our pants completely." Now it's clear what that means.

The verbal earthquake from Altach sporting director Roli Kirchler after the two opening defeats against Donaufeld and WSG Tirol has no consequences for Joachim Standfest. In other words, the 44-year-old Styrian will remain coach even after the four "probationary matches" against LASK, WAC, Sturm Graz and Austria Wien. "The quality of the team's play has improved so much that we didn't have to discuss him staying for a second," says Kirchler. But he also knows: "In the next games against GAK, BW Linz and Hartberg, the performances shown must be confirmed. These games will decide where our path leads."

Sporting director Roland Kirchler had put the rod in his coach's window. Four weeks later, all is well again.(Bild: GEPA)

Kirchler doesn't use the word "championship play-off" because he knows that the league as a whole is a very tight affair from fourth place onwards. Just like so many Altach games. Of the 450 Bundesliga games played to date, 274 have ended in draws or wins and defeats with just a one-goal difference.

The transfer window closing tomorrow is no reason for the sporting director to get nervous. "We had a conversation with Gustavo Santos in which we explained his importance to Altach. And discussed his chances for the future if he continues to play as well as he has recently," reveals Kirchler. There is also currently no offer for the second transfer target, Paul Koller.