Kapfenberg surprisingly separates from coach Ismail Atalan!

Kapfenberg surprisingly separates from coach Ismail Atalan!

Kapfenberg, Österreich - Surprising turn in Kapfenberg: SV Kapfenberg separated from coach Ismail Atalan, although the team took the respectable third place in the past last season-the best result since relegation from the Bundesliga in 2012. Atalan, who took over the office in summer 2024 and was awarded a second division coach of the year, will no longer be part of the club. The reason for the separation are drastic budget cuts that push the club in a new direction. In an updated press release, the club confirmed this decision and explained that both Head of Football Carlos Leal and Atalan consider the goal of "promotion to the 1st division" under the current circumstances. The mutual resolution of his contract, which runs until 2026, shows that one separated in the good, even though Atalan emphasized that it was an honor to be part of the club and wished the KSV all the best for the future.

recently managing director Robert Schäfer expressed hope for financial support from the region, but the hoped -for funds failed to materialize. As a result, the promotion is no longer sought this season, but instead it is sought to ensure the economic load capacity of the association, as the small newspaper reports. The measures to reduce budgets include not only the departure of Atalan, but also the necessary integration of younger players and, last but not least, the sale of regular players, such as striker Alex Hofleitner, who is already associated with the GAK.

focus on financial stability

The situation in Kapfenberg is an impressive example of how financial considerations influence sport. The football world has long since developed into a large business area, where the balance between income and expenditure is crucial for the success of a club. With the rules of financial fair play (FFP), the UEFA has tried to force the clubs to bring their balance to zero - a measure that is not only important in Kapfenberg. FFP regulates that clubs are no longer allowed to spend more than avoiding overdrafts and debts. according to Cotrainer are also a more central Part of the budget, with players often earn significant amounts. At the KSV, however, the coming season should initially be seen as a fight against relegation, not as a possible return to higher leagues.

The assistant coach Mario Grgic and Vladimir Petrovic temporarily take over the responsibility for coaches, while the search for a new main person responsible is starting. Kapfenberg is now facing the challenge of putting together a powerful team that can also exist in the league without losing sight of the financial reality. Changes are not only a necessity for the association, but also an opportunity to successfully reorient yourself.