Ex-SCRA coach Schmidt:

“Joachim Standfest’s departure was to be expected”

Klaus Schmidt (left) with his then assistant coach Joachim Standfest at an SCR Altach press conference.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Ex-Altach coach Klaus Schmidt is not really surprised by the dismissal of Joachim Standfest, for him it was the usual consequence in the soccer business. However, Schmidt feels sorry for his former assistant coach at the Rheindörfler.

Klaus Schmidt and Joachim Standfest managed to stay in the league with Altach in the spring of 2023. Schmidt then left for Monaco and Standfest became his successor as head coach. However, the connection between Adi Hütter's current head coach and Altach has never been broken.

That's why the 56-year-old saw his predecessor's end coming: "Standfest had been counted out since Roland Kirchler's incendiary speech after the home defeat against WSG Tirol. In the last few games, neither the results nor the playing performance were right. That's when the laws of soccer come into play."

Schmidt, who was in Zagreb yesterday for the Champions League match with Monaco, feels personally sorry for his former assistant coach.

Lincoln (left, with sporting director Roland Kirchler) has never been fully fit since he moved to Altach.(Bild: SCR Altach)

Bad luck with injuries
There have been discussions around the Altach club about the new signings made in the summer, and not just since Standfest's withdrawal. All of which played a subordinate role to Standfest and Wallner. Injuries also played a part.

Lincoln, Madritsch and Tietietta suffered injuries before they were even able to play in a championship match. Now Kronberger has also been hit, who will be out for a long time due to a torn patella tendon. In addition, Kameri is not yet fully fit due to an injury sustained in Salzburg.

Lukas Fridrikas (r.) has hardly come into his own so far this season.(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger © Gerhard Dittrich)

In sporting terms, Fridrikas has become a question mark. The ex-Lustenauer has played 160 minutes so far, but has not scored any goals. Feldkirch native Filip Milojevic, who was brought in from Leverkusen, has only made three brief appearances despite much praise from Standfest. Strunz failed to score in his seven appearances. Only Helac impressed in the two games in goal, where he replaced youngster Stojanovic.