Bundesliga in the TICKER

LIVE from 14:30: BW Linz meets GAK!

The one-man forwards of Blau-Weiß Linz and GAK: Ronivaldo (left) and Daniel Maderner

(Bild: GEPA)

14th round in Austria's Bundesliga: FC Blau-Weiß Linz host GAK. We report live (see below). 

Here is the LIVETICKER:

Instead of playing for Grasshoppers Zurich in Switzerland, Gerald Scheiblehner will continue to sit on the trainer's bench at Blau-Weiß Linz in their home match against promoted GAK. The 47-year-old was not given the go-ahead by the club for a transfer. In the meantime, his focus is back on BW, the recent 2:0 win against former serial champions Salzburg is to be confirmed. However, the Athletiker also want to improve on their league premiere win against WSG Tirol (2:1).

The international break was not an easy one in the BWL camp. There had already been discussions about Scheiblehner moving to Vienna Austria in the summer. Months later, the coach was in high demand abroad. "It's true that there was a concrete offer. I think it's always attractive and interesting for an Austrian coach to receive an offer from abroad. That doesn't happen every day, I've dealt with it," said Scheiblehner.

The Linzers put a stop to his plans. "It wasn't easy to tell Scheibi that we weren't willing to talk," emphasized sporting director Christoph Schößwendter. The Upper Austrian has played a huge part in the successful season so far. This was also made clear to Scheiblehner during the talks. "The reason given to me was that it is necessary for me to stay with the club in order to successfully play the last three games and that we are in a very important phase," said the BWL coach. He saw this as "appreciation". In addition, the desire to extend his contract beyond the summer was also expressed publicly for the first time. "That's why it was still positive."

BW Linz coach Gerald Scheiblehner

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Departure in winter?
He is also not the type to run away from BW. "I appreciate the day-to-day work there, it's still a luxury for me to be a coach here, I'm from Linz, my family lives there," said Scheiblehner. For the time being, the topic is now closed. However, it was clear that the topic could come up again during the winter break. Scheiblehner is also said to be an issue for league rivals Sturm Graz, who are looking for a coach. "We will take our time during the winter break to think about the future," said Scheiblehner, leaving everything open.

In any case, Schößwendter wants to do everything he can to avoid having to look for a coach. "For me, it's now about how I can convince Scheibi to stay with us, with everything that goes with it. Hopefully until the end of the season and even longer," said the former defender. The match against GAK was therefore only a side issue for the Linzers, who have celebrated four of their five wins this season in front of their own fans.

GAK coach Rene Poms did not expect the coaching issue to have a negative impact on the game. "I expect a game at eye level, where it's all about small details that will decide the match," said the 49-year-old. Both teams have a similar style of play. "It's simply a question of who wants it more, has the better condition on the day, goes into the duels with greater intensity and wins them," outlined Poms. Scheiblehner also expected a "game that won't be pretty to watch" in front of a sold-out crowd, with lots of duels and second balls.

"They picked up a point against two top opponents, where more rather than less would have been possible, and then won against WSG Tirol. They've gained new courage and will certainly come here with good energy. We have to be prepared for a very unpleasant opponent," analyzed the BWL coach, who has two additional squad alternatives with the fit-again Conor Noß and Lukas Tursch. Marco Gantschnig will not be available for the Grazer, who are unbeaten in three games, due to a torn ankle ligament. The first game of the season ended 2:2.