Lukas Fabi: A South Tyrolean is team manager at SV Grödig

Lukas Fabi, how does a South Tyrolean get the position of team manager at SV Grödig? It all started with an internship at the WTA tennis tournament in Linz. There I met the president of LASK Linz and he gave me the opportunity to work for his club. This time was very educational for me and I am very grateful to Mr. Reichel for this opportunity. At a cup game I met the current club manager of SV Scholz Grödig, Mr. Arminger. It was he who contacted me in spring 2012 and asked me whether I could imagine coming to Grödig. Of course I couldn't pass up the chance to work in the Bundesliga. Just two weeks later I moved into my desk in the Untersbergarena in the small but nice town near Salzburg.

What are your tasks as a team manager? Of course, the clubs in the Austrian Bundesliga do not have the same financial opportunities as, for example, in the German Bundesliga. A lot has changed with the rise, be it in the infrastructure as well as in the number of employees. At the moment we are trying to divide the individual areas of responsibility as optimally as possible in order to get the best out of the given circumstances. My focus in the future will be communication, but for now everyone helps where they can. Team management is currently one of many different areas of responsibility. But it is also an area that I really like - especially because of the proximity to the team and the coaching staff.

Did you study sports management or something similar? I studied communication science with a focus on public relations in Salzburg. I also wrote my thesis on public relations in football.

Grödig was promoted to the Bundesliga this year and has earned a place at the top. How do you explain your team's strong performance? There are certainly several reasons for this success. On the one hand, the meticulous work of Adi Hütter and his coaching team contributes greatly to the success. The refreshing offensive style of play, which the team has now perfectly internalized, also plays a major role. The special thing about this is that with relatively modest financial resources, a playful concept is pursued that does without any stars. Every player is basically replaceable - and this competitive situation drives the players to ever new heights. Of course, there is also the almost obligatory momentum after a climb.

What is it like working with coach Adi Hütter and sporting director Christian Haas? Both are very interesting and distinctive characters. In addition to his achievements as a player, Adi has quickly made a name for himself as a coach at national level and now beyond. His direct, honest nature makes it relatively easy to work with him, but he is very precise - so no one in his work environment will ever be bored. Working with Christian is similar. His friends call him Mister 1000 Volt and that's exactly how he works. As a link between management and the sports management, I try to be with the team at every training session and, above all, to nurture and maintain internal communication.

Have you always been interested in Austrian football? I first became aware of football in Austria during the glory days of Casino Salzburg in the mid-90s. I sometimes went to Innsbruck and watched Bundesliga games, but I didn't really get into it until I was a student.

Your favorite club? As a child, I grew up with Marco van Basten and AC Milan - and that relationship continues to this day. However, I don't follow all the games like I used to. On Monday, of course, the football arena is mandatory because my brother plays for AFC St. Pauls - and has been quite successful this season. But I have to say that sometimes I'm happy when my leisure activities don't necessarily have to do with football.

Of course I have to ask you this question: Grödig is currently making headlines due to a betting scandal. Your club is taking tough action and has already released some players. Do you share this tough approach?

This question was to be expected. The last few weeks have not been easy for anyone in the club. However, one must clearly distinguish between the player Taboga and his possible relationships with the betting mafia and the club SV Scholz Grödig, which must clearly be seen as a victim. We mutually parted ways with the two players Taboga and Zündel. Since it is still an ongoing process, I can't say anything about it.

Have you ever suspected that something wasn't going right?

No, not at all! However, there are over 200 different betting options, if I were to start questioning and analyzing every corner kick, every throw-in or even every penalty decision, then you would go completely crazy. I like the sport too much for that and I will continue to believe in the good in people. I think the players, who have nothing to do with it, and the spectators really deserve it.

How do you deal with the situation?

It's a bizarre situation when all the positive things the club has achieved to date are pushed into the background from one second to the next. Although we received praise from all sides for our crisis management, there is still a lot to do to put the club back in the light it deserves.

Let's talk about the positive headlines again. What goals does your club have? Grödig will probably no longer be able to avoid relegation...

At the beginning of the season, the whole of football Austria laughed at us and we were considered the number one relegated team. We have now earned a lot of respect, especially through our sporting achievements. But even though we have deservedly consolidated ourselves in the upper regions of the table at the moment, we can assess the quality and the possibilities of the club quite well. The goal before this season was to stay in the league and nothing will change that.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Lukas Fabi: A South Tyrolean is team manager at SV Grödig

Suggestions

Comments (0)