“There is no shame in losing to the German champions. But the way we went to leave us all speechless,” said Salzburg sports director Bernhard Seonbuchner Sky shortly after the 5-0 debacle at Bayer Leverkusen.
Since the Dutchman Lijnders took over Salzburg in the summer, the team has not expected him. In the Champions League, the end is certain after only three points and four “waddles”. And in the league, the gap to league leaders Sturm Graz has now increased to 14 points.
“In a process it is important to experience success,” said Seonbuchner. But that is exactly what is missing: “We certainly have too few difficulties and more difficulties than progress.” Managing director Stephan Reiter, who spoke of a change of course in the midst of the crisis, was also in the dressing room and took the players to task. Another sign that there are already heated discussions behind the scenes about how things should proceed.
A few days ago, the club emphasized that it did not want to make any personnel changes in the coming weeks. But that could change. Seonbuchner’s diplomatic statement, ”It’s okay to ask questions, but we don’t have to have answers today,” sounds like an open back door for a training change.
Salzburg is turning. One thing is clear: without visible progress, things could quickly become uncomfortable for Pep Lijnders - and for Seonbuchner as well. In Hartberg, the long-suffering bulls will need a significant increase in performance on Saturday.
FC Red Bull Salzburg
Bernhard Seonbuchner (right) clings to head coach Pep Lijnders.
Bernhard Seonbuchner wipes Lijnders’ discussion off the table
Despite the ongoing crisis, Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Bernhard Seonbuchner does not want to hear anything about coaching discussions. The Bavarians strengthened the Dutch on Saturday after the 1-2 win against…