"The well-being of the club is at stake"

After 23 rounds the 48-year-old talks about the Bundesliga basic round, including the replacement of the coach, his expectations for the final league phase, his call for a significant improvement, the goals for the season and praises the support of our fans.

The former Austria Wien Academy director with UEFA Pro license about ...

… the first home game in the championship group against Sturm Graz: "The last game in Graz was played under special circumstances. We replaced our coach, which I believe was necessary. Sturm Graz had to win their home game to land in the top six, as we did the week before. The game, including an unnecessary red card, turned out positive for the Styrians. The situation now is completely different. This direct duel is about the position behind the top two clubs Salzburg and LASK. We definitely want to make the three points.”

… the goals in the championship group, which we started last week on fifth place and a draw with three other clubs: "Clearly the goal is third place to avoid the play-off for the European competition. I think it is a realistic goal, given the performance of the season so far, but certainly not without putting in the work."

… the necessary improvements during the decisive league phase: "We have to significantly win more games and score more goals during the direct duels with the clubs of the championship group than during the basic round. We are all aware of the fact that we only made 5 of 30 points against these five clubs and scored five goals. Of course, that was way too little and has to change."

... third place in the spectator ranking during the basic round (111,642 during eleven home games / average: 10,149): "It is pleasing that around 50% more people came than in 2017/18. If we had played better and more consistent, it would have been even more. We can only fill our arena with good performances and positive results. The support of our fans, who often rightly criticise as well, was overwhelming."

… his conclusion after the basic round with 22 rounds and fifth place in the standings: "The minimum goal, the participating in the championship group, has been achieved. In conclusion, we are of course not at all satisfied with the 30 points, only 29 goals and also not with the athletic performance, which for the most part lay clearly behind the set expectations."

… four suspensions in the first six competitive games 2019: "This is also a fact that is extremely irritating, especially if you look at how it came to each red card. The only player you can’t be blamed is Ewandro. The exclusions of Jeggo, Igor and Cuevas could have been easily avoided. Disciplined and intelligent game behaviour has to be demanded."

… the replacement of head coach Thomas Letsch a day after the 1-3 home defeat against SCR Altach: "The separation was necessary, despite the previously secured top 6 place, due to the athletic development. The danger of not meeting our goal for the season was evident. Just as the fact that we didn’t have hope anymore that a positive change was still possible."

… the detailed reasons that led to the separation with Letsch: "The goal of the club comes first. Despite a good preparation in my opinion, it was not possible to initiate a real change, to score more goals, to play more attractive and to be more dominant. All this has not been seen in the first games of the year. Our season goal of a European Cup place was in danger."

… the personal touch in the first three games under Robert Ibertsberger: "It's far too early to pass judgment on it. What you could see was a different approach against Sturm Graz, in the test against Zenit in St. Petersburg and also against Salzburg. The signs are positive, in order to go in a direction that we are all convinced will bring results and benefit us on the way to our minimum goal a European Cup starting place."

… the possibility of Ibertsberger as a long-term Austria Wien coach: "lbertsberger is definitely one possibility. He is a young, Austrian coach who has also been in the front row in the Bundesliga. He has the advantage to know the team and the structure of the club very well, he brings everything for the restructuring we have initiated in the summer. I do not see that it would be a disadvantage to move up from assistant to head coach."

… other candidates for the position of head coach: "The possibility that Ibertsberger remains coach long-term exists, but it’s my job to explore the market for other candidates that fit our profile and to hold appropriate discussions."

… the decision on the timing for a long-term head coach: "We will certainly not let us be put under pressure. It's about the well-being of the club. The positive thing is that with Robert Ibertsberger we have a coach of our own ranks, and with whom we have the feeling to be well-prepared for the next difficult tasks. A lot of clubs in Austria do not have that possibility."

… the scenario of an external coach appointment at the status quo Ibertsberger: "There is the possibility to contest the championship group in the current constellation with Ibertsberger and then make a longer-term agreement with him. Or we make a change concerning a long-time coach after the season. Both are options and this is also what we agreed on with Ibertsberger."

… plans with players for the upcoming 2019/20 season: "Those are already in the works since autumn. The contracts of six players run out this summer. In four cases it is our decision and we can make the choice to extend or not. All of them already let me know that they would like to stay. In the championship group they have the chance to self-advertise."

… Names of players whose contracts contain clauses and end at the end of the season: "We have options with Cristian Cuevas (Huachipato / Chile) and Uros Matic (FC Copenhagen), Igor is on loan from RBS. The contracts with Thomas Salamon and Alexandar Borkovic expire. With both players as well as their advisors we are having discussions regarding their different perspectives at our club"

Lieber Austria-Fan,
der Inhalt des heutigen Austria Wien-Newsletters

» Pentz und Co. hoffen in Wolfsberg auf die Trendwende
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» Die nächsten Spiele & Termine der Veilchen

Bundesliga:
25. Runde, 14.04.2019, 14:30 Uhr, RZ Pellets WAC - FK Austria Wien (Alle Infos >>)
26. Runde, 21.04.2019, 17:00 Uhr, Fk Austria Wien - LASK (Alle Infos >>)
27. Runde, 24.04.2019, 19:00 Uhr, FK Austria Wien - St. Pölten (Alle Infos >>)

2. Liga
22. Runde, 12.04.2019, 19:10 Uhr, FC Pasching - Young Violets Austria Wien
23. Runde, 19.04.2019, 20:30 Uhr, Young Violets Austria Wien - SV Guntamatic Ried
24. Runde, 26.04.2019, 19:10 Uhr, SKU Ertl Glas Amstetten - Young Violets Austria Wien