Dornbirn coach Orie:

“We’re all knackered now”

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Despite not being granted a license for the new season, Dornbirn want to say goodbye to the second division in Ried today (17:30). It won't be easy for the Rothosen, who are devastated by the bad news.

Actually, it should have been the big deciding game for the Rothosen. On the last matchday, they could have left the relegation zone after a furious race to catch up in the spring and completed an almost impossible mission successfully after all.

But after the failure of the club's own management and the resulting refusal of a license, everything is different. "There was always a little residual hope among us, which kept our engine running," says winger Sebastian Santin. "Even though it was often very difficult this season, we were always fully committed. We always kept going. But that has left its mark."

Sebastian Santin (r.) and his teammates never gave up.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

A season at a professional club could hardly be more chaotic and disappointing. That's why the team and sporting director/coach Eric Orie deserve incredible credit for what they have achieved. The team has done its job. Not everyone at FC Dornbirn can say that. "We put a lot of energy and heart and soul into our mission. Hope dies last, but now it's dead," laments coach Orie, "and we're all broken now too."

Unpaid salaries
It wasn't just the money for the new season that was missing. The players also had to grit their teeth. Even though they have not yet seen a penny for all the points they have collected since April. Not even from their normal salaries. Nevertheless, players and coaches remained silent, not wanting to cause any more unrest at the club.

In Ried today, the Rothosen still want to give their all once again. Because their conscience does not allow them to do less than would be possible. Not everyone at FC Dornbirn can say that either.