This comes as a surprise: Head coach and sports director Markus Schopp is making use of his contractual exit clause at TSV Hartberg and is moving to league rivals LASK in Upper Austria with immediate effect. This marks the end of the Graz native’s second term with the East Styrian club. His record: 166 games, 62 wins, 36 draws and 68 defeats, points average 1.34. The Styrian acts as coach and sports director for Linz. His contract runs until summer 2027. The Upper Austrians parted ways with Thomas Darazs after a weak start to the season.
“I look back on a very intensive and successful time at TSV Egger Glas Hartberg. I would like to thank the club officials for their excellent cooperation and support. Together, with great commitment and continuous work, we have established the club in the highest Austrian league and even led it into the European Cup,” said Schopp, who is also taking his previous assistant Alexander Marchat with him to LASK, about his move.
No bad blood
For Hartberg chairman Erich Korherr, the request to move was “of course very surprising,” as the chairman explains: “On Monday evening he told us that he would like to move, but wanted to think about it overnight. In the morning he informed us and said goodbye to the team.” The East Styrian can certainly understand the decision: “He’s getting a huge opportunity at a club with great infrastructure that also plays internationally. Hartberg has always been a stepping stone and he can now take the next step.” There is “no bad blood” between the club and Schopp, rather they are “enormously grateful for the time they spent together.”
How things will continue in the next few days will be decided on Tuesday afternoon. One thing is certain: Christian Gratzei will stay in Eastern Styria and could play an important role. Training will be led by Markus Karner on an interim basis. The 46-year-old is youth director and coach of the second team. “We will take our time looking for a coach, it certainly won’t happen overnight.” When asked whether the new coach will already be on the sidelines after the international break, Korherr said: “That could well be the case, but it doesn’t have to be.” There is also no rush in the search for a new sporting director – should a new appointment be made at all. “I have always signed the players anyway and the squad is good, so we don’t need to change much. We will set ourselves up properly in this position in the next few days and weeks.” A central defender is nevertheless to be signed in the near future.
