After a decade of Salzburg's dominance in the Austrian top flight of football, Sturm Graz actually managed to depose the league leader last season. Grazer AK fans, however, had to wait much longer for the Bundesliga. Although their city rivals sensationally became champions, they can celebrate an even greater triumph. After almost two decades in the lower house, the traditional Graz club is now a phoenix rising from the ashes in Austria's top division. The main credo will therefore be to stay in the league, maintain consistency and grow slowly. The situation is completely different for the Salzburg city team. The expected difficult transition year to the last season ultimately resulted in several coaching changes. This season, too, it will by no means be easy for RB to return to the throne straight away. New coach Pepijn Lijnders is considered a great coaching talent. Youth coach at PSV, Porto and Liverpool, then his first attempt as head coach at Neijmegen and finally the instructive work with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool have allowed him to mature into a first-class football coach. Now Lijnders has to prove what he is capable of as a head coach, not only as a football expert but also as a leader of his team. |