Peter Pacult Named New Head Coach of Wolfsberg AC Amidst Championship Aspirations
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Wolfsberg AC (WAC) has appointed Peter Pacult as its new head coach, following the unexpected departure of Dietmar Kühbauer to LASK. The move signals a continuation of ambition for the Austrian club, currently vying for a top spot in the Bundesliga.
The appointment, announced Friday, came as a “great surprise” to Pacult himself, according to statements made in an ORF interview. he expressed his intention to “repay the trust” placed in him by WAC President Dietmar Riegler.
A Return to the Bundesliga for the Experienced Tactician
Pacult, 65, brings a wealth of experience to Wolfsberg, having previously managed Austria Klagenfurt until April. His track record includes leading local rivals to promotion and consistently securing a place in the championship group. Despite a recent, abrupt separation from Klagenfurt due to a change in sponsorship, Pacult remains optimistic. “It was a beautiful, very successful time, sadly it was destroyed a bit, but that’s the coaching business,” he stated. “Now a new task awaits, and I want to fulfill it one hundred percent.”
Maintaining Momentum and Realistic Goals
WAC currently finds itself in a strong position, tied for second place with Rapid and Salzburg, just four points behind league leaders Sturm Graz. The club also has a round of 16 cup match against Amstetten on the horizon. Pacult’s immediate objective is pragmatic. “You shouldn’t reach for the stars, you should stay realistic. We want to continue on the successful path,” he explained.
However, Pacult also aims to build upon the success established under Kühbauer, who led the team to a cup victory and a strong championship challenge last season. “But now you have to make a cut. It’s over, life goes on, we have to take the next step,” he asserted, adding, “I want to use my approach to led the club to a place where we can say we have worked successfully.”
Tactical Approach: Evolution, Not Revolution
Pacult has indicated he will initially refrain from making notable changes to the team’s established system. “The system doesn’t score goals,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of building upon existing strengths. “I’m not going to make any major changes at the beginning. Why should you change somthing that’s going well? There’s great potential in the team and I think that I have a good connection with the players.” His short-term goal is clear: “Our goal until the winter break is to get as many points as possible and advance in the cup.”
Riegler Confident in pacult’s Leadership
WAC President Dietmar Riegler expressed unwavering confidence in the new appointment. “I see a great future ahead of us. He is absolutely the right person for the team, I am completely convinced of him,” Riegler stated. He revealed that Pacult emerged as the clear frontrunner from a pool of three candidates, praised his character and approach to player management.
Pacult’s return to
