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SK Sturm Graz on the verge of upheaval: coaching changes and personnel changes are imminent
Christian Ilzer could soon move to Hoffenheim, which could result in a transfer fee of over two million euros. Who will succeed him as Sturm Graz coach is also up for debate.
SK Sturm Graz on the verge of upheaval: coaching changes and personnel changes are imminent
The situation at SK Sturm is tense: the club is facing a significant change in the coaching position. According to rumors, Christian Ilzer, who is currently in charge of the team, will move to Hoffenheim. This could happen as early as next week, meaning Ilzer could lead his final training session in Graz. Many believe that he will take his assistant coaches Uwe Hölzl and Dominik Deutschl as well as athletic trainer Marco Angeler with him if an agreement is reached.
The transfer fee for Ilzer is on the agenda, although it could be more than two million euros. This is almost twice as much as Hoffenheim paid Sturm for their previous player Schicker. President Christian Jauk has already confirmed the negotiations and emphasized that the talks are ongoing. “I’ve known about it since this morning,” he said. Ilzer has an exit clause, which can only be activated during the summer break. Therefore, Sturm and Hoffenheim must now come to an agreement quickly.
Interim solution in prospect
This could be a bitter disappointment for SK Sturm. Those in charge had hoped to use the international break to involve Ilzer in discussions about the future sports director position. Now this hope remains unfulfilled. Nevertheless, this could also represent an opportunity for the new sports director, as he could immediately take action to find a successor for Ilzer - ideally someone who fits well with his concept.
If Ilzer actually starts in Hoffenheim next week, there are indications that Jürgen Säumel could take on the role of interim coach. The 40-year-old, who has the UEFA Pro license, has already achieved considerable success as coach of the second team in the second division and has consistently developed the young talents. A remarkable victory over Dortmund in the Youth League underlines his skills as a coach.
The developments surrounding SK Sturm are at a crucial point, and the coming days could be groundbreaking for the future of the team and the club management. While Ilzer's move to Hoffenheim is becoming more and more likely, it remains to be seen how SK Sturm will deal with the situation and what solutions will be found to continue the club's success. Further information on this topic can be found in a recent article on www.kleinezeitung.at.