Boss leaves club

A setback for Austria Salzburg’s young talent

Austria Salzburg's youth development work will change.(Bild: Andreas Tröster )

Austria Salzburg's head of youth development Raphael Laghnej is leaving the club at his own request at the end of April and after just three months. Ultimately, the city club was unable to meet the Mainz native's expectations in terms of achieving their common goals. 

Austria Salzburg had been looking forward to the next steps in their "ambitious youth development work" with the appointment of "top man" Raphael Laghnej as the new head coach at the end of January. The appointment was a sign that the club is serious about youth work and promoting its own talent. The 50-year-old, who had worked in this role for years at German professional clubs such as SV Sandhausen, received a lot of encouragement from all sides right from the start, including from the board.

However, at the end of the agreed trial period, which ends on April 30, the Mainz native will leave the club at his own request. In a letter obtained by the "Krone", he addressed the players and parents: "The club's management has decided to do away with youth sport in future. For me, this does not result in any meaningful activity that makes me happy to pursue my passion for soccer."

"No bad blood"
Chairman David Rettenbacher regrets the Mainz player's move, which is a setback for the club's own youth work. "We were unable to meet his expectations and wishes. But there is no bad blood at all," he emphasizes. However, he does not want the separation to be seen as a sign against the Violet youth work. A new concept is currently being developed and will be presented in the foreseeable future.