Wolf, Sekerlioglu & Standfest on UEFA Pro Diploma course

The Austrian Football Association has announced the participants of the UEFA Pro Diploma course for 2022-23. With Maria Wolf as the only woman as well as Cem Sekerlioglu and Joachim Standfest, Austria Wien provides three coaches at the highest soccer education in Austria!

All applicants have gone through an extensive application process in the past weeks and months. The admission process was divided into two areas: On the one hand, the career as a player and coach, but also further training and the UEFA A diploma training were decisive. On the other hand, the ÖFB carried out a competence-oriented assessment.

Maria Wolf, who has been a coach in the Violets' girls' academy since the summer of 2021, is the only woman in the new course and, after team manager Irene Fuhrmann, only the second to complete Austria's highest coaching qualification. In the run-up to the course, Wolf led a training session for Austria Wien's professionals, among other things.

Cem Sekerlioglu has been associated with the Violets as a player and coach for almost 32 years and has recommended himself for Manfred Schmid's coaching team with the combat team via the Violet Academy. Joachim Standfest, who was with Austria as a player from 2007 to 2010, took over as U18 coach at the turn of the year after Mark McCormick also moved up to the pros.

Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner: "We are delighted for all three of them that they have been accepted onto the course. It really is a great honor for us and, above all, for their work, of course, because it is incredibly difficult to qualify for the UEFA Pro Diploma. Of course, the inclusion of Maria Wolf as only the second woman ever is something very special. She plays a very important role in women's football for us and we're all excited to see where her path leads."

The UEFA Pro Diploma is the highest possible international coaching qualification and entitles the holder to work throughout Europe. The training comprises 400 units and is expected to run from summer 2022 to fall 2023.

Austria Wien congratulates Maria, Cem and Joachim and wishes them every success!