Negotiations underway

Schopp successor: Schmid to lead Hartberg

Has the new Hartberg coach already been decided? According to the latest rumors, many things point to Manfred Schmid following Markus Schopp's move to LASK. The "Krone" enquired with the club, who only confirmed negotiations with the ex-Austria coach for the time being.

Schmid, whose departure from Austria in December 2022 with respectable sporting results angered many (especially fans), is said to have been the favorite to succeed Schopp in Hartberg from the outset. The 53-year-old Viennese, who was voted "Krone Coach of the Year" in the 2022-2023 season despite being sacked by the Violets, matured more and more as a coach alongside Peter Stöger at Dortmund, 1. FC Köln and in Austria when he won the title with Austria in 2013. As "boss", Schmid most recently coached WAC, where he achieved a points average of 1.48 points in 46 games.  

The gamble is on
Now there could be a comeback on the coaching bench in the domestic Bundesliga. However, final details still need to be clarified - which is why chairman Erich Korherr has only confirmed that he is in negotiations with Schmid. Another foreign coach is also to be heard. On Sunday in the home game against WSG Tirol (weather permitting), Hartberg will still be coached by interim coach Markus Karner, who actually coaches the amateurs. A decision on the coach is not expected this weekend.