Culture Meets Sport: Poschner & Schopp in Dialogue

Not only do the personal journeys of the duo—both of whom have made a name for themselves nationally and internationally—reveal striking parallels, but their daily work also presents similar challenges. Styrian-born Markus Schopp and Munich-native Markus Poschner deal with comparable dynamics in their respective fields. What a match plan is to one, a musical score is to the other - both serving as guiding frameworks for their performers.

“This text still requires an incredible amount of interpretation,” Poschner noted, responding to his sporting counterpart’s opening question. “Depending on who is leading, an entirely different kind of language emerges. Every orchestra plays a Beethoven symphony at some point, yet the conductor and musicians shape the performance in a way that makes each rendition unique.” His orchestra typically consists of 90 to 100 musicians, highlighting the complex interplay required for cohesion.

Schopp followed up with an observation: “That would mean if two musicians were suddenly unavailable, replacing them wouldn’t necessarily result in the exact same performance.” This, he pointed out, is a phenomenon often seen in football as well. However, the LASK head coach aims to mitigate individual player absences through clear principles and structured automatisms. “Football relies heavily on mechanisms and routines. In well-defined systems, it becomes easier to compensate for missing players,” Schopp explained.

Poschner also seeks the right balance between clarity and creativity, following the motto of his former teacher: “Don’t disturb, only help.” He explains that before a performance, he focuses not only on the piece itself but also on the orchestra and its history, allowing these elements to shape the interpretation of the music. “It’s important to know: Who am I working with, what makes the Bruckner Orchestra unique? That’s the point that allows you to stand out from others.”

When applied to football, this philosophy can be seen as reflecting the identity or ethos of a club. Schopp brought up the example of Barcelona, a club that has stood for a clear idea for decades, while other clubs may take a more pragmatic approach. “To achieve that, you need different types of coaches and a precise vision of what a coach represents. That’s why it’s so important to understand what this club - or this opera house - stands for.”

The concept of success is ultimately a key factor in both fields, although in football, it is more easily measurable through results. However, when analyzing, it is important to separate performance and outcome to some extent. A 0-0 draw despite overwhelming superiority, like against Blau-Weiß Linz, or a 2-1 win despite a rather underwhelming performance, like in Salzburg last fall, must be properly contextualized. "There are poor performances with good results, which are often perceived as good in the public eye - and vice versa. For us, it’s about finding a clear path to be consistently successful," said the LASK coach.

"For us, it’s applause, criticism, and ticket sales," noted Poschner. Here, too, belief in being on the right path is necessary, even if some concerts are not well-attended. Credible communication is key in this regard. "But of course, it’s a fragile system. If each of our concerts is only 30% full, it will eventually tear you apart."

Forming a unit from a variety of talented players or artists that harmonizes collectively – this task also unites the two experienced leaders. Creating space for figures of identification, recognizing the strengths of individual musicians and bringing them to fruition, and ensuring that everyone finds their place within the concept – this is the art of the conductor, as Poschner revealed. For this, a hierarchy and certain key players are needed. These are often contested positions: In anonymous rehearsals behind the curtain, potential "newcomers" can prove themselves for an available position before the final decision is made after a trial year. This decision is made by the entire orchestra. "In this year, you see: Does the person fit into the group? Do they have leadership qualities? Are they compatible? One doesn’t always seek the most adaptable person, but perhaps someone who brings an aspect that hasn’t been there before."

This is something his counterpart in the tracksuit knows all too well, although year-long trial appearances in football are notoriously rare. Nevertheless, through high-quality scouting, one must form as accurate a picture as possible of potential new signings. "You shouldn’t just be able to assess a potential new player from a sporting perspective, but also know how they tick. Of course, it’s easiest with players you’ve already worked with," explained Schopp, who sees a significant difference between individualists and true leaders. "A good player is not automatically a leader. What matters is: How do I, as a coach, make a leader player so effective that, in the end, they make the difference?"

To identify the aforementioned difference, sometimes it takes the necessary courage to take risks. Or, as Poschner succinctly put it: "True art always takes place on the brink of catastrophe." Ultimately, it’s about the passion with which the enthusiasm of the audience can be ignited. "If a few people aren’t 100 percent invested, you can feel it very clearly in the final result—but, conversely, in an incredibly amplified way. When you see that everyone has given their last ounce of effort, it makes the audience jump to their feet for standing ovations."

Or, in football, it leads to breathtaking scenes of celebration in the stadium. "That’s the beauty of sport. These underdog stories arise because a team grows beyond itself, because every player wants to push beyond their limit. At the same time, this is the benchmark—to always operate at the limit." This is exactly what Markus Poschner and Markus Schopp have been achieving for decades, almost in step with one another.