"A huge pleasure"

Official: GAK brings Poms as new head coach

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

GAK have brought Rene Poms to Graz as their new head coach. The Styrian signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with the "Red Jackets", as the promoted Bundesliga club announced on Tuesday - and the "Krone" reported in advance.

Poms had terminated his contract with Greek second division club PAS Giannina the previous day. The bottom club in the league parted ways with coach Gernot Messner on Monday after failing to register a single win in their ten games so far this season.

"In Rene Poms, we have brought in a coach who has impressed us with his experience as head coach at Osijek, Leoben and Giannina and as assistant coach under Nenad Bjelica at clubs such as Dinamo Zagreb, Lech Poznan and Spezia Calcio, as well as his in-depth knowledge of the game," said GAK sporting director Dieter Elsneg in a club statement.

For Poms, who was born in Leoben, it is a return to Styria. The 49-year-old was in charge of DSV Leoben in the 2nd division in the 2023/24 season and was a direct rival of Graz at the time. Despite reaching the semi-finals of the ÖFB Cup, they parted ways in April due to internal differences.

"It's a huge pleasure"
Poms then went to Greece in July. Before that, he worked abroad for a long time as Bjelica's assistant in Italy, Poland and Croatia. He also acted as head coach at Osijek following Bjelica's departure. "It's a huge pleasure to be part of the GAK family. I have the highest goals with this club and want to play successfully in the Bundesliga next season," said Poms in an initial reaction.