LASK parted ways with previous head coach Thomas Sageder on Wednesday and presented two interim successors, Maximilian Ritscher and Thomas Darazs. Of these, only Darazs has the necessary license. LASK confirmed that the ex-professional was immediately reported to the Bundesliga as the nominal head coach. However, only Sageder’s former assistant Ritscher appeared at the press conference on the same day, giving many the impression that he was the leading man of the duo. The first communication from the LASK communications teams also led to this conclusion.
“Senate 5 honored the coaching replacement in such a way that it was not made sufficiently clear that a head coach has a pro license,” said league board chairman Christian Ebenbauer to the APA. LASK Sport managing director Radovan Vujanovic replied that the club had “fully and at all times complied with all formal legal regulations of the Bundesliga”.
“It is therefore completely incomprehensible and arbitrary that Senate 5 has made such a decision. Since we meet all the requirements, we fully expect to receive the license in the second instance,” said Vujanovic. And that should actually just be a formality: As long as it is clear in the coming games that Darasz is carrying out his duties as the responsible coach, there should be no problem.
Austria Vienna, Austria Klagenfurt, Austria Lustenau and TSV Hartberg received the license under certain conditions. In the future, Vienna and Klagenfurt Austria will have to report monthly on their economic situation and present the budget with updated figures in the fall. In contrast to previous years, the preparatory work in the club was crucial for the Viennese, explained Ebenbauer. “This is essentially covering the budget and the positive continued forecast.” Austria Lustenau and Hartberg must deliver the “Football and Social Responsibility” strategy paper by the end of June.
One level lower, second division leaders GAK, SKN St. Pölten, SV Ried, FAC and Admira were awarded the license for the highest performance level. Three current second division teams are currently without admission for the next season: FC Dornbirn (financial reasons), DSV Leoben (financial) and SV Stripfing/Weiden (infrastructural). The biggest problem child is Leoben, where “the requirements that were imposed in the winter have not been met. Above all, this is an audited interim financial statement and the budget,” said Ebenbauer. “Dornbirn simply still has the liquidity to prove that the 2024/25 season is fully financed.”
ASK Voitsberg, SK Sturm Graz II (Regional League Middle), SK Rapid II (Regional League East) and SC Imst 1933 (Regional League West) have successfully sought approval. It was denied to Kremser SC (Regional League East), Hertha Wels and the LASK Amateurs (both Regional League Middle) as well as Austria Salzburg (Regional League West). Given the current status in the regional leagues, it would only be possible to create a second-highest league with a field of 16 next season through special provisions and the replacement of clubs that did not end up in the top two.
According to regulations, the clubs can lodge a written protest against the Senate 5 decision with the protest committee within eight days – the deadline this year is Monday, April 22nd. The protest committee’s decision will be made by Monday, April 29th this year. This ends the appeal process within the Bundesliga. A complaint can then be filed with the Permanent Neutral Arbitration Court within eight days.