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.”