Austria Salzburg Eyes Bundesliga Talent for Promotion Push
Austria Salzburg, locked in a tight battle for top spot in the Regionalliga West, has set its sights on strengthening its squad for the critical second half of the season. Head coach Christian Schaider has made no secret of his ambition to secure promotion, a goal that narrowly eluded the club last year due to infrastructural limitations. This season, the defending champions are once again in prime position, and Schaider is keen to add firepower to his ranks.
Former Bundesliga midfielder Sebastian Aigner has been training with the team since September and is seen as a key target. Aigner, a 23-year-old product of FC Red Bull Salzburg’s acclaimed academy, boasts a wealth of experience in the top flight. He made 35 appearances for FC Liefering in the ADMIRAL 2nd league before making the leap to the Bundesliga with Altach, where he racked up 39 appearances between 2021 and 2024.
“It’s not fixed yet, but I’m confident that he will join us. A decision will be made in the next two weeks,” Schaider told reporters, his optimism shining through.
Aigner is a versatile and dynamic midfielder, capable of controlling the tempo of the game and dictating play. His arrival would undoubtedly bolster Austria Salzburg’s midfield and provide a creative spark as they look to maintain their grip on first place.
Adding further intrigue, there are whispers of a potential loan move for Austrian right-back Moritz Eder. The 21-year-old joined Bundesliga side GAK in the summer from FC Pinzgau Saalfelden but has, so far, struggled to break into the first team.
“There is a loan deal in the pipeline, but we still have to wait and see,” Coach Schaider confirmed. Eder’s potential arrival would offer another dimension to Austria Salzburg’s backline; his pace and attacking instinct could be a valuable asset as the team seeks to dominate their opponents.
With these potential additions, Austria Salzburg appears poised to make a strong push for promotion in the second half of the season. The club’s ambitious target, coupled with their hunger for success, sets the stage for an exciting finale to the Regionalliga West campaign.
What specific steps has Austria Salzburg taken to address the infrastructure limitations that previously hindered their promotion prospects?
## Austria Salzburg’s Promotion Push: A Conversation with Christian Schaider
**Today, we’re joined by Christian Schaider, head coach and sporting director of Austria Salzburg, who are currently in a tight race for promotion to the Austrian Bundesliga.**
Christian, welcome! Austria Salzburg is looking strong this season, and clearly aiming for the top spot. Can you tell us more about the club’s ambitions for the second half of the season?
**Christian Schaider:** Thank you for having me. We are indeed in a good position. The goal is clear: promotion. [[1](https://www.austria-salzburg.at/staff/christian-schaider/)] We narrowly missed out last year, but this time we are determined to achieve our goal. The atmosphere within the team is fantastic, and we are constantly working towards achieving this.
Last season, infrastructure limitations were cited as a factor preventing promotion. Have those issues been addressed?
**Christian Schaider:** We have made significant strides in addressing those challenges. The club is fully committed to making the necessary improvements to meet the Bundesliga standards. This shows the seriousness of our ambition and the commitment we have towards achieving promotion.
It’s been reported that Austria Salzburg is targeting Bundesliga talent for the January transfer window. Can you give us any hints about your plans?
**Christian Schaider:** We’re always looking to strengthen the squad, and we’ll certainly explore all options in the upcoming transfer window. We want to bring in players who can add quality and depth to the team and help us achieve our promotion goals.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us, Christian. We wish you and Austria Salzburg all the best for the rest of the season.
**Christian Schaider:** Thank you very much!
