End of an era:

SKN women’s president steps down: “It was time to cut back”

Pichler & Schmaus (right)(Bild: Tom Seiss/SKN Frauen)

Many thought it was an April Fool's joke on Easter Monday. But it wasn't: Wilfried Schmaus surprisingly stepped down as SKN women's president, handing over his position after eleven years to Andrea Pichler, owner of "Help mobile GmbH".

When Mateja Zver scored St. Pölten's first-ever goal against Kuopio (Fin) in extra time in 2022 to advance to the group stage of the Women's Champions League, the NV Arena was turned upside down. Only one man was sitting in the stands - Wilfried Schmaus! Who always appears somewhat grim and introverted to the outside world - but means everything to the SKN girls and has put St. Pölten on the international map in women's soccer in recent years. After eleven years as president, he is now stepping down and handing over his position to Andrea Pichler. "I'm 65, of retirement age, every period comes to an end at some point," says Schmaus. "It was simply time to step down." In future, he will only act as an advisor on the Traisen.

Schmaus (right) collected titles on the assembly line with SKN(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Walter Luger)

He made his first appearance with the Spratzern Ladies in 2008. Before FSK St. Pölten was later incorporated, followed by the cooperation with SKN in 2016. Or rather, titles on the assembly line! Schmaus won the championship nine times with the "Wolves" and the cup eight times. He can also look back on eight Champions League appearances, two of which were in the group stage. "If you define your career in terms of success, it was great." And if not? "Then it was bumpy. As an independent club, there were many obstacles in our way. The status of women's soccer is still nowhere near where I would like it to be," says Schmaus, who sees room for improvement, particularly in the area of youth development.

St. Pölten's women's footballers have had plenty of reason to celebrate in recent years.(Bild: Tom Seiss)

"I would like to see more girls playing at youth level. The clubs and the ÖFB have a duty here." Including Pichler, who now has big shoes to fill. Schmaus assures: "She will leave her own mark ..."