"The team has immense potential"

Welcome to Linz, Markus Schopp. The move to LASK happened very quickly. What ultimately convinced you to take on this challenge as head coach and sporting director?
The club itself played a major role. LASK is a very interesting club for me with incredible infrastructure and a fantastic stadium. Additionally, the team was a key factor in my decision to accept this role. This combination was decisive for me.

You are taking over the team in a challenging sporting situation given the recent results. How do you plan to initiate the turnaround with your coaching staff?
I believe that the expectations in Linz were very high at the beginning. However, I also think this team has immense potential. In the coming days, we will work intensively, get to know each other, and develop ideas that suit the players. I hope that we will be well-prepared for the next phase after the international break.

What will be your focus in training over the next few weeks, and what style of play are you envisioning?
I believe the team can develop in all phases of the game, and that will be my task. I will work to refine our ideas and share my vision with the players, especially regarding ball possession. Ultimately, it will be the team's and individual players' qualities that will guide us on this exciting journey. I think it will be a truly thrilling experience.

You mentioned the Raiffeisen Arena. Until now, you’ve only experienced it as an opposing coach. What impressions have you had of LASK’s home ground?
It's certainly impressive to see the facilities. However, the stadium itself doesn’t play the game; it’s a venue for conveying a great message, for which I am now partly responsible. We hope to fill the stadium as often as possible with a positive message.

Your first competitive match with LASK is next Saturday, a derby against FC Blau-Weiß Linz, one of the most important games of the season for our fans. What message would you like to give to the LASK fans?
It’s crucial for me that the fans come out in large numbers. Especially during a challenging phase, it’s important to have full support. What I can guarantee is that the players will give their all on the pitch - whether against Blau-Weiß Linz or any other team. If we succeed in that, combined with the quality of our players, I believe we will not only have exciting matches but also many successful ones.

Due to the coaching change and adjustments in the training schedule, the friendly match against second-division team First Vienna FC, planned for Thursday, will not take place.

In the meantime, the date for the second-round match in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup has been set. LASK will face Sportunion Mauer on Tuesday, September 17, at 6:00 PM (live on ORF Sport+) at the Waldstadion Himberg.