Era ends at Sturm

Time to say goodbye – head of sport leaves the team

The ink should be dry, the signs have long been pointing to a farewell. The era of sporting director Andreas Schicker at SK Sturm will officially come to an end on Wednesday.

Not even a 5:0 win against challengers Red Bull Salzburg could change Andi Schicker's mind. Not even the major renovation of the Merkur Arena announced by politicians - Schicker has often been at loggerheads with the city representatives over this. Despite everything, the 38-year-old Oberaicher has long since drawn a line under his six-year era at Sturm and is to be officially presented as the new managing director by his new employer, TSG Hoffenheim, on Wednesday in Germany.

Ilzer stays - for the time being
After Salzburg's Christoph Freund's deal with none other than Bayern, the transfer of the next Austrian sporting director to one of the best leagues in the world is the next accolade for the Bundesliga - and for the red-white-red clubs. Schicker is expected to be handsomely remunerated for his signature - not surprising after winning three titles with the Black & Whites and a surplus of millions in Graz's account, mainly thanks to strong transfers.

The congenial partnership between Schicker and Sturm coach Christian Ilzer officially came to an end on Wednesday. For the time being. Most recently, both Schicker and Ilzer denied that the Blackies' head coach was moving to Hoffenheim at the same time. However, Ilzer's name - along with that of former Bulls coach Matthias Jaissle - is already being heavily circulated. In the coming winter transfer window, once Andi Schicker has settled in at Hoffenheim, a reunion with Ilzer cannot be completely ruled out.