Stefan Putzer is no longer the coach of Gitschberg Jochtal. © David Laner

"Coldly dismissed": Controversy surrounding Gitschberg's coaching change

The coaching change at regional league club Gitschberg Jochtal has stirred up quite a bit of dust. Now the sacked coach, Stefan Putzer, has spoken out.

12 December 2025

From: det

The first half of the Landesliga season ended on Sunday. But the league had one more bombshell to offer even after the last matchday of the 2025 calendar year: Gitschberg Jochtal parted ways with their coach Stefan Putzer and hired the cult South Tyrolean coach Patrizio Morini in his place.

"Above all, the points tally is too low. With the reinforcements we made in the summer, we had expected to be competing in the top 3." The sporting director – Benjamin Putzer – explained the move. However, the separation from coach Stefan Putzer was amicable.

"I was completely taken aback when I heard that." Stefan Putzer

The coach in question sees things very differently. "I was coldly dismissed," Stefan Putzer told [source/organization]. SportNews and explains his side of the story. “We played our last game of the first half of the season against Lana on Saturday. We dominated the match, hit the woodwork four times, but ended up with a 0-0 draw. On Monday, I was contacted by phone and informed that I was no longer the coach. I was completely taken aback when I heard that,” said Putzer, who had only been hired as the new Gitschberg coach in the summer.

Gitschberg Jochtal is in the upper middle of the table. © David Laner

Gitschberg Jochtal currently sits in 6th place in the Landesliga with 23 points. "We're having a very solid league season and are in the quarterfinals of the cup. Before the season, we set our sights on a top-five finish, and we're just one point away from that. A top-three finish, as mentioned in the interview, was never even a consideration," said Putzer, who added: "Other accusations – such as the claim that I lost the locker room – are simply untrue. All of this is really getting to me," the coach concluded.

While coaching icon Patrizio Morini is now in charge at Gitschberg Jochtal, Stefan Putzer will be taking a break. "I need to take some time off during the second half of the season. After this whole situation, I've lost all enthusiasm for it. Who knows, maybe something new will come along in the summer," said Putzer.