Klagenfurt under pressure: Again and debt burden force to change!

Klagenfurt under pressure: Again and debt burden force to change!

Austrian Football Club Austria Klagenfurt announced the descent from the Admiral Bundesliga on May 30, 2025 and is now faced with considerable financial challenges. According to Laola1 , the association has been living on its circumstances for years. Sports Managing Director Günther Gorenzel emphasizes that a precise analysis of the Situation is necessary to react to the problematic situation. The club's debt is estimated to be a "low millions", and concrete conversations with the creditors are inevitable.

The financial emergency is tightened by outstanding salaries to ex-players and service providers. Main sponsor Helmut Kaltenegger plans to reclaim a sum of over 700,000 euros, which was provided as part of the licensing. These funds were tied to the relegation, and Kaltenegger has already contacted partner Zeljko Karajica to talk about a possible takeover of the club. However, the association was unavailable for an opinion, which the situation continued to complicate, reports Puls24 .

restructuring and realignment

With regard to the sporting aspects, Gorenzel plans a fundamental change in the team. The focus should be on the promotion of talents from their own academy after five academy players have already celebrated their professional debut in the previous season. Jannik Robatsch has established himself as a regular and arouses the interest of a German Bundesliga club. Talks with experienced players, including a former top scorer, are also planned.

The association faces the challenge of clarifying the squad composition and the coaching position for the 2025/26 season. Carsten Jancer and assistant coach Rolf Landerl are traded as possible coaching candidates. However, Gorenzel sees it as too early to define concrete ways of the season and to stir up false expectations.

financing questions and the influence of sponsors

The uncertainties with which the association is confronted are part of a larger trend in German football, which is characterized by financial influence. Experts point out that the financialization of football can create long -term problems for the clubs. This development also has an impact on fan culture and sporting integrity. According to Financial turning , financial investors often have different interests than those of fans and athletes, which can lead to debts and increasing prices for fans.