SK Sturm and Andreas Schicker have put an end to rumors of a possible move to Rapid Vienna. Grazer’s sporting director extends his contract with Styria early.
Rumors about Sturm’s sporting director Andreas Schicker and Rapid Vienna had persisted for days. The residents of Graz put an end to the speculation on Monday evening. Schicker is extending his contract early until 2026. The Upper Styrian native, who has been with the club since 2018 and took over as head of sport in 2020, will continue to manage the sporting fortunes of the Juventus side.
“I have repeatedly stressed that my journey at SK Sturm is not over yet. The excellent cooperation with Christian Ilzer and his entire coaching team, team, board and president is incredibly enjoyable and also successful because after that everyone pulled. I feel extremely comfortable in Styria and with the SK Sturm,” Schicker said in a broadcast.
Schicker continues: “Two and a half years ago we issued a three-year plan – although we were quickly ahead of this plan, the development arrow is still pointing upwards, the team and the club are in constant development and have not yet exhausted existing potential SK Sturm is on an exciting and challenging path that I would like to continue to help shape. We still have big goals together and will work hard to achieve them.”
Christian Jauk: “A clear signal for SK Sturm”
Sturm chairman Christian Jauk also commented on the new deal: “When we expressed our faith in Andreas Schicker in 2020, a youngster from our own ranks, it also took some courage. Now, of course, we know that with Andi we have made an absolute Goldgriff. SK Sturm’s youthful manner, the sporting successes of the last few years, transfers on a completely new scale for Sturm and the associated economic success – all these things are incredibly closely related to the name Andrea Schicker”.
Schicker’s early contract extension is “a clear signal for SK Sturm,” said Jauk. A few days earlier, Sturm coach Christian Ilzer had doubts about a transfer of Schicker to Vienna. “Right now I can’t imagine moving to Austria, with the best will in the world. We’ve established ourselves as number two in Austria, I don’t think any of us are planning to move anywhere in Austria,” says Ilzer, who he is con should be right in his prognosis.
