Personal reasons

Markus Mader takes his hat off at Bregenz

Markus Mader's contract in Bregenz was terminated by mutual agreement.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Personal reasons prompted the Bregenz coach to resign immediately. His assistant coach Martin Schneider will take over in the home game against Sturm II on Saturday. The board will decide in the coming weeks what will happen next.

Bregenz must look for a new coach, Markus Mader announced his immediate resignation at a press conference. Which was purely his decision, as he emphasized. "This has nothing to do with the club or the sporting situation. Nor with my future. These are personal reasons that only concern me," clarified the 55-year-old.

Mader, who was released by Austria Lustenau last November, took over the Bregenz club during the winter break. He had to cope with the departure of playmaker Murat Satin (GAK) and winger Joao Soares (BW Linz), with veteran Okan Aydin, RB Salzburg talent Federico Crescenti and ex-Altach player Sebastian Aigner arriving as notable new players. Mader's mission to play more attractive soccer in Bregenz than in the fall was partially successful. In his six games with Bregenz, he celebrated two wins, drew once and lost three times.

Markus Mader was on the touchline for Bregenz in League Two for six games.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The decision to leave the club was made in recent weeks. The coach made his final decision over the Easter weekend. He informed the team and the board on Tuesday before the press conference. "My feelings led me to this decision," says Mader. There was then no other option for him. "We also talked about whether it might just be a snapshot. But it wouldn't have been any better." However, taking over Bregenz in the first place was not a mistake for him. "It was a great opportunity for me, I really wanted to be coach again as soon as possible. I don't regret any of the decisions I made," Mader clarifies, "you can regret it if you don't make any decisions."

Assistant coach Martin Schneider (l.) and coach Markus Mader came to Bregenz together, before that they coached Austria Lustenau until last November.(Bild: SW Bregenz)

Schneider takes over
Co-coach Martin Schneider will be in charge for the home match against Sturm II on Saturday. It remains to be seen what will happen next. "We will discuss the situation calmly," says sporting director Predrag Zivanovic, "and then decide."