UFC Haibach: After relegation, the goal was squad stability – Football Upper Austria – Results, tables and goalscorers from all Upper Austria leagues.

Last season, the UFC Haibach ob der Donau suffered a bitter relegation. In the end, they were only three points away from safety. However, they don’t want to mourn this for long; instead, they want to make a fresh start, namely in the 1st class northwest. Thomas Bürger, who works at the UFC as a section manager and also as a sports director, answered a few questions and gave a little insight into the usual club situation.

We had a successful start to the season

“As we all know, a good start to the season is an important starting point for the rest of the season,” said Thomas Bürger. “We had a very successful start to the season.” The sporting director also mentioned that it was important for the whole club not to have anything to do with relegation from the start. “The team has great quality and mentality. If you are 3-0 down in a game and still manage to get a point, that shows.”

Normally it is difficult to maintain a squad after relegation, but not at UFC. Haibach was able to keep most of the squad together and only lost two of its regular players, Armin Pumberger (retirement) and Tobias Wiesinger (to Eferding UFC). Simon Stadler is also taking a career break until at least winter. The small community in the Hausruckviertel welcomed two players from Hartkirchen as new arrivals. Fabian Gaisbauer also returned to his hometown, but was absent until spring due to an injury.

A newly formed coaching team

“A few rounds before the end of last season, we had already agreed with the then coach Josef Hutsteiner that we wanted to take a different path. After a few discussions, we were able to reach an agreement with Mario Verlende. We were also able to appoint a new assistant coach in Christian Mayrhofer. A new coach is also taking over responsibility in the reserves. In this sense, we have a completely new coaching team and it has worked perfectly so far.”

“It will be a few years before we have players who can move up to the first team again,” explains Bürger. The community of 1,200 residents is currently fighting for young talent. “We have a lot of young children from Bambinis to U10, but after that there is a big gap.” In the U14 we had to form a joint team with Aschach because we could no longer manage it ourselves.”

When asked whether immediate promotion was also an option, Thomas Bürger replied: “If you want to get promoted or at least get into the top two, a lot of things have to come together.” It is realistic, as we are physically fit and playing very well, but it is not a must from the club’s point of view.” He sees Rainbach in particular as a candidate for promotion. However, he will not fail to mention Waizenkirchen, Münzkirchen and his team.

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