With the 1-1 draw against title contenders Grieskirchen, SK Schärding managed to put a conciliatory end to a rather messed up first half of the season. The traditional Landesliga West club from the baroque city winters in 13th place in the table after eleven points from 15 games, the lead over bottom team Munderfing/Pfaffstätt is only three points. “I would like to change my career and that’s why the enormous time investment as a player and as a sporting director is no longer feasible,” Michl is quoted as saying in a club release.
As the club announced today, the mission of staying in the league will have to be tackled under new sporting leadership. The previous sports director Andreas Michl, who had been guarding the goal again for a few games, informed the club officials of his resignation.
Vacancies
This means that the SKS officials will have to close several gaps in the coming weeks: In addition to the position of sporting director, the coaching position is also still vacant. After parting ways with coach Holger Stemplinger in September, former player Ernst Kriegner took over on an interim basis until the end of the first half of the season. It is also still unclear whether a new goalie will be needed after Michl’s decline. “It is still unclear whether I will continue to help out as goalkeeper until the end of the season and will have to be clarified in a conversation with the new coach,” says Michl, who will celebrate his 45th birthday in January and can look back on a successful time as a player and sports director in Schärding can: Since its return in the 2018/19 season, the club, in addition to the autumn championship in the canceled Corona season 2019/20, also won the runner-up title in the season 2022/23 and also finished third three times.
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**Interview with Andreas Michl: Resignation as Sports Director of SK Schärding**
**Editor:** Welcome, Andreas, and thank you for joining us today. It must have been a challenging time for you at SK Schärding, given the club’s current standing in the Landesliga West. Can you tell us what led to your decision to resign as Sports Director?
**Andreas Michl:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s been a tough season for the club. My decision to step down really comes from a desire to focus on my personal career and life outside of football. Balancing the duties of a player and a sports director was becoming increasingly challenging, and I felt it was time for a change.
**Editor:** I understand that the team is currently in 13th place, just above the bottom team. What are your thoughts on the team’s performance this season?
**Andreas Michl:** The results have been disappointing, to say the least. We had high hopes going into the season, especially after our achievements over the past few years. It’s clear we need stronger leadership to navigate the upcoming challenges and ensure we stay in the league.
**Editor:** With your departure, there are now gaps in both the sporting director and coaching positions. How do you see the club addressing these vacancies?
**Andreas Michl:** That’s a crucial question. The management will need to act quickly to bring in the right people. A new sporting director and coaching staff will be essential to turn things around. They will need to instill fresh energy and strategies to help the team climb up the table.
**Editor:** You mentioned in your statement that you might continue playing as a goalkeeper until a new coach is appointed. What factors will influence your decision on whether to remain on the squad?
**Andreas Michl:** It will depend on discussions with the new coach and how they envision my role moving forward. I want to contribute, but I also need to assess how it aligns with my future plans. I’ll celebrate my 45th birthday soon, and I need to consider what’s best for both me and the club.
**Editor:** Looking back at your time with SK Schärding, what achievements are you most proud of?
**Andreas Michl:** There are certainly many highlights. Winning the autumn championship during the 2019/20 season, despite its disruption, and securing the runner-up title last season are accomplishments I will always cherish. It’s been a fulfilling journey, and I hope to see the club return to its competitive best soon.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Andreas. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, both personally and professionally.
**Andreas Michl:** Thank you! I appreciate the support, and I’m hopeful for the future of SK Schärding.
