There as a noble fan

Sturm legend: “Säumel is a real leader!”

Jakob Jantscher (center against Real Sociedad) himself played 25 times for Sturm in the European Cup.(Bild: GEPA)

Sturm legend Jakob Jantscher will be keeping his fingers crossed for the Blackies live in Lille on Wednesday. The former captain told the "Krone" what he thinks about the coaching issue at his favorite club - and what fears he has for the upcoming transfer period.

Sturm will be cheered on by a true black and white legend at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille on Wednesday: Jakob Jantscher is stopping off in Lille with wife Andrada on his Christmas vacation between Paris and London to support his ex-colleagues vocally. As a fan of the Blackies, he naturally also has an opinion on the current issues affecting his favorite club.

Jakob Jantscher, ex-captain and arch-Black, is in favor of a Sturm-internal coaching solution.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The 35-year-old member of the legends club has played 250 games for Sturm - the Premstättner's opinion on the current coaching issue naturally carries weight: "I think Jürgen Säumel would be a good solution! I've seen him as captain, he's a real leader, top in terms of character and personality, always objective and very clear in the way he leads a team. From what I've heard, the current players also think he's really good." The matter-of-fact calm after the incredibly successful but also very demanding last few years is very well received by many.

Neo-sporting director Michael Parensen is not to be envied for the first Champions League win under Säumel, should he already be in the word of another coach. Because if Säumel, who is very popular with the fans as a "real black man", were to be ignored, things would probably get quite restless in the stands after any failures.

Jürgen Säumel (left) and Jakob Jantscher (center) have known each other for years.(Bild: GEPA)

"I can completely understand"
Nobody wants the imminent transfer of Jusuf Gazibegovic to Cologne in the winter to result in further departures from Sturm: "I don't hope it comes to that," says Jantscher, "but I fear it! Some players will have already thought about the next step in their career in the summer, but then stayed because of the Champions League, which is a really cool experience. But you have to understand anyone who thinks about what is still to come in Austria after the league title, cup win and Champions League. I personally understand that Gazi (Gazibegovic) is now going to Cologne to play himself into the foreground for higher tasks, possibly even in the first German Bundesliga."