Jan Schlaudraff:

“We are in a state of limbo”

Jan Schlaudraff(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser)

Jan Schlaudraff on the current state of SKN St. Pölten, the end of the cooperation with VFL Wolfsburg, his hopes and future. Without a new, financially strong partner, life on the Traisen will be tough.

Jan Schlaudraff is the kind of person who usually seems relaxed. At least on the outside. Which is anything but a matter of course for someone who is allowed to call himself Director of Sport at SKN St. Pölten. "The club is going through a challenging time at the moment - but as we all know, you grow with challenges," says the German.

Schlaudraff's relationship with the players is a good one.(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Walter Luger)

The changes in the recent past have left their mark on the second division club from the state capital. Especially among its protagonists. The end of the cooperation with VfL Wolfsburg was also chalked up to Schlaudraff, as he was seen as the German Bundesliga club's representative at the Traisen. The 40-year-old resolutely denies this: "My commitment to St. Pölten was never linked to VfL." You don't really buy that never. The fact is that the former Bayern professional mostly represented SKN alone in talks with Wolfsburg.
"Wolfsburg no longer saw the point"

Schlaudraff describes the end of the partnership as a lengthy process: "First the relegation in 2021, then the financial problems that suddenly emerged after the new management took over, and finally the unfulfilled sporting expectations this year - Wolfsburg no longer saw any point in another year in the second division." More than understandable. When did he know it was over? "When we were out of the title race." So relatively early in the fall ...
The clause issue
The fact that Schlaudraff withheld Wolfsburg's exit clause from the new sporting director Tino Wawra, according to the latter's statement, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. "I don't comment on the content of contracts." However, the matter has been dealt with and clarified internally.

Tino Warwa (left) and Jan Schlaudraff in their office - it is still unclear whether they will say goodbye in the summer.(Bild: SKN St. Pölten)

However, this does not mean that both will remain loyal to SKN beyond the summer. Without a new, financially strong partner, life in St. Pölten will be tough. Possibly too hard. "I feel very comfortable here, but it's also about what goals are possible. We are currently in a state of limbo - with lots of question marks that don't exactly make our work any easier." "But," Schlaudraff returns to relaxation mode with a grin, "I'm confident that we'll find a new partner." An elegant and at the same time sharp pass to Managing Director Matthias Gebauer.