After a few successful months, Markus Fürstaller is now stepping down again for professional reasons as head coach at the Pinzgauers after just under three quarters of a year. With 39-year-old Hannes Schützinger, who was already installed as sporting director of the ÖFB junior performance center a few weeks ago, the vacant position could now be quickly filled with the desired candidate.

Statements

Board of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden on the appointment of Hannes Schützinger as coach: “We are very happy that we have found a quick and perfect solution. We have created an important foundation in recent months with Markus (note: Fürstaller) and initiated a more than positive development process. We want to continue on this path in the new season. After it became clear that Markus would no longer be available to us in the new season, we evaluated the situation and very quickly came to the conclusion that Hannes Schützinger was the right man for the job. Now there is clarity and we can now fully concentrate on the preparation for the new season.”

Hannes Schützinger, FCPS head coach and sporting director of the ÖFB junior training center: “In the last few days we have had some very good talks. For me, it was quickly clear that I would like to take over the position and rise to the challenge. For me, it’s a great opportunity to develop here. I’m aware that the dual function means a heavy workload awaits me – but I’m definitely ready for it! Last season was very good, and we want to build on that in the coming weeks. We want to change our approach, bring more intensity against the ball and find solutions through positional play. I’m looking forward to my new task and to the start of training at the end of June.”

Strategically, the women’s team will play an even greater role in the overall organization of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in the future. “In recent weeks, we have given quite a lot of thought to how we can take our club and the women’s team forward and raise it to the next level. Our goal is to gradually professionalize this area as well. We want to build something sustainable and install three women’s teams in the long term. Ideally, one team should play in the 2nd Bundesliga, one team should continue to be part of the Salzburg Women’s League, and an U16 team, which could then be incorporated into its own academy, should be created for young talent. We are aware that this will not happen overnight. But we face the challenge with conviction,” explains the board of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden.
That the goals can also be achieved in the future, the squad must increase in width for the first time, and that was also the first important internal task. “Our girls are doing really well and are very passionate about it, but the framework conditions are not always easy. The squad is small and we often have too few players in training and matches due to work and injuries. It’s hard to take a step forward. That’s why we want to bring in good quality players so that we can get the important stability and build a solid foundation. That way, the group can grow together and the young players can benefit,” reports women’s head coach Alois Innerhofer.

In the next few months, the FCPS women will have their first international exchange, which will run under the motto #ProjectAscend. With the experienced coach Sierra Cristiano, Alois Innerhofer and Angelika Amon Haas will get great support in training and match operations as well as in organization. But also on the players’ sector a lot has happened. With six collage players (Levandrea Williams, Gracie Armstrong, Makenna Gottschalk, Molly Myers, Erika Gonzales-Moreno and Amber Huff), who come from different US cities, the international exchange on a sporting and cultural level is started as a pilot project.

“It is very important to us that none of our domestic players will be displaced – we can promise that. Every player will have her place with us, and the structure will be rebuilt for this in the long term. We are convinced that our six newcomers will help us and that both the Austrian and the US players will benefit greatly from the exchange we are aiming for. Soccer is logically very important, but we are also pushing the cultural area – that is one of the core missions,” the FCPS board states in unison.

Last season, two players, Sota Kitahara and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, already found their way from the Seattle Sounders to the Salzburg Regionalliga. After their return to America, the duo was able to inspire nationally – the “intermediate step” FC Pinzgau Saalfelden has undoubtedly paid off. The transfer of offensive player Alvarez further intensifies the existing relationship with the Major League Soccer club. This excellent and long-term exchange, should also bring common points of contact in the future.

“We are excited to have Juan join us this week. A super guy who will make us more multifaceted and unpredictable in the offensive game – we are all convinced of that. We’ll get an impression of him in training over the next few days and push ahead with a fast integration process. You can see that our cooperation and exchange with American clubs is getting better and better – we will be able to benefit from this even more in the future,” explains FCPS coach Markus Fürstaller.

“I chose to come to Saalfelden because I’ve always wanted to play in Europe. I also came to better myself as a soccer player and as a person. I have high expectations for the club, I know we will make it far. I know it won’t be easy, but I know the team is up for it. The goals I have set myself is to play in a first division team and to play in Europe with a big club. I am extremely excited about Austria. I am looking forward to learn about the culture. I have already seen how beautiful the country is, so I want to keep exploring,” reports Juan Alvarez.

In 2022, the 180 cm tall offensive winger managed 25 scoring points (16 goals and 9 assists) in 16 games at Pima Junior College.

“Nicholas has integrated well into our team structure in the first training sessions and left a decent impression. We are very satisfied with his first week, but now we have to continue to work consistently. We will use the further preparation to take a close look at his development and will support him in the best possible way on his way with us in Pinzgau,” explains FCPS coach Markus Fürstaller.

“My first days in Saalfelden were very cool. I like the town and I have already been able to gather a lot of positive experiences after my first week of training. Everyone involved gave me a helping hand and made sure I felt comfortable right from the start. I made a conscious decision to come to Austria, I wanted to take a step in another country. I want to work on my soccer skills here and bring my level up to a better level. You’ve seen in the past that the Pinzgau can be a great springboard – you just have to take the chance and work for it every day. That is my goal,” reports Nicholas Bianchi.

After the departure of Alexander Schriebl as head coach of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden returns with Markus Fürstaller an old acquaintance on the coach’s bench. The 46-year-old was already both player and coach at the Salzburg regional league club from 2010 to 2018. The Mountainous Pine Blues still has six must-win games waiting for them in 2022, four of which will be played at the home 1508 SaalfeldenArena, where Pinzgau remain undefeated.

Board of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden on the termination of the cooperation with Alexander Schriebl: “We really started very well at the beginning of the season, played successful soccer and brought in many positive results. In recent weeks, however, the red thread was lost somewhat. That’s why we talked to Alex about how to counteract the current trend – there’s a lot at stake in the current season due to the reform of the regional league. Together, we came to the conclusion that we have to change something now. We value Alex as a person very much and wish him the best for his future.”

Board of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden on the appointment of Markus Fürstaller as interim coach: “We are very happy that we have found a quick and perfect solution. Markus knows the players and the processes with us very well and does not need any preparation time. Every day in the new setup helps us in the preparation for the home game against Bischofshofen. We expect a positive reaction on Sunday, even if it’s against the league leader.”

Markus Fürstaller:  “I was still very connected to the club after my job and therefore have a very good insight. I will now try to contribute as quickly as possible and help the team in the remaining 6 games. It is important that we act as a cohesive unit and try to get the momentum on our side – this can only be done with the final consistency. We have a very good team, together we want to fully exploit the potential and get back on the winning track.”

The early stage of the #Pinzgau23 campaign started with such promise with an opening day away win at SAK1914 and nine unanswered goals in the next matches against SC Golling and SV Grödig, but our away form, with four straight losses put the best defensive squad in a precarious position midway through the season with fourth place, the minimum goal for the fall program.

“Alex is an excellent coach, a hardworking and dedicated manager,” said Managing Director David Herman. “I honestly have no doubts about Alex’s ability and I’m sure he will succeed elsewhere, however the team’s form and performances over the last few weeks mean that we had no choice but to act as our ultimate goal this season is to remain in the third division. On behalf of everyone at Fan Owned Club, I would like thank Alexander for all his efforts during his time and wish him the very best for the future.”

FCPS can confirm that experienced coaches Maximilian Mariacher and Michael Pilko will prepare the team this week for Bischofshofen Sportklub 1933.

]]> https://fcps.at/ziege-era-concludes/ Mon, 26 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0000 https://fcps.at/?p=12321 FC Pinzgau Saalfelden and Christian Ziege today announced they have reached a mutual decision to part ways. The two parties came to an agreement to allow Ziege to step aside to address personal matters.

In April 2019, Christian Ziege began his adventure at FC Pinzgau Saalfelden. When there was a need, the 1996 European champion stepped in as coach and helped in a difficult situation. A temporary solution evolved into a permanent role as FCPS trainer, which was soon expanded to include the title of sporting director. By the 2022/23 season, the 50-year-old had stepped back from the day-to-day operations as first-team coach and concentrated on his new role in recent weeks.

“Christian has been fantastic as a true ambassador for our project in the Austria,” Steve Paris, Founder of Fan Owned Club, who introduced a supporter-owned model in December 2019 and hired Ziege to lead the Club to a the precipice of promotion in his first season. “He’s provided strong leadership, helped us quickly develop a winning culture and established a legacy that will always be a part of our history. His pedigree, presence and personality was our greatest recruiting tool, responsible for revitalizing and enhancing professional footballing careers and the most successful fun in Club history in his three years at the helm.”

“It’s been incredible to have played a part in the early history of FC Pinzgau,” Ziege said. “From the beginning there was a real commitment to connect to the region, grow the foundations of the Club and we shared some amazing experiences. However, for personal reasons, I am no longer able to devote the time that would be required as Sporting Director, but it was a great honor for me to be an important part of the FCPS family during the last years. We have experienced a great deal together, initiated many positive things together and taken important steps. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the trust placed in me by both sets of Founders and wish the club a very successful future. A big thank you also goes to my coaching counterparts, who with their commitment and dedication form the valuable foundation of the daily work.”

“We are grateful to Christian for his commitment to our Fan Owned Club project, “ Paris said. “He helped lay a foundation for this Club that we will continue to build upon and welcome Christian back in any capacity he chooses to participate. We wish him well in his next chapter.”

Salzburg Regional League Matchday 3

Sportplatz Bischofshofen 

August 5, 2022 (17:00 CET)  

2 games, 6 points, 5 goals, 0 goals conceded – the opening balance of FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in the regional league season 2022/23 can definitely be seen. 

Alexander Schriebl’s team will not only face a prestigious duel in Bischofshofen, but also the next acid test for start of the campaign. 

The direct duels with the Pongau team were always action-packed, emotionally charged and full of suspense. Tandari and Co want to continue their run of success against BSK 1933 and their flawless start of the season. 

Opposition  

Founded back in 1933, Sportklub Bischofshofen are among the most storied clubs in the Regionalliga Salzburg. The real glory days came between the mid-1950s and mid-1970s, a period during which the Blues & Whites became state champions of Salzburg nine times and even achieved promotion to the Austrian top flight in 1971. 

The Nationalliga, as it was known at the time, proved to be a step too far for the newcomers, who finished the 1971/72 season bottom of the table with only eight points (one win and six draws). Several relegations followed in the ensuing decades, with the club reaching dropping down into the fifth division in 1999. 

After the best part of twenty years languishing in the lower rungs of Austrian football, Bischofshofen recently achieved two promotions in close succession and have been back in the third tier since 2018/19.

Team News  

Against Bischofshofen, Alexander Schriebl will still have to do without some players. Alessandro Ziege (knee), Raphael Streitwieser (ankle), Ratan Dudaew (knee), Marcell Toth (ankle) and Marko Colic (knee) are forced to watch the next weeks. Niklas Mühlbacher returns to the squad after serving his suspension. 

Statement

“We want to remain without conceding a goal against Bischofshofen, that is our primary goal. Playing against the Pongauer is never easy, they have an experienced team and are on the upswing. We have to control our emotions over 90 minutes, not get involved in any games and also fade out the all-around. If we can do that, we’ll be able to hold our own in Bischofshofen. We are prepared for the conditions, have had a good week of training and have taken another step forward. The results of the first two rounds give us the necessary calm so that we can work consistently.”

Head-To-Head  

The Mountainous Pine Blues have historically fared well against Bischofshofen with eight wins against only two defeats, with almost half of the previous clashes (eight out of 18) ending in a stalemate.