From 0‑8 loss to interim boost: Standfest eyes Feldhofer’s GAK‑Trainer role
While GAK reels from a crushing 0‑8 defeat to Rapid, the club simultaneously promotes Joachim Standfest from co‑trainer to interim head coach, positioning him as a leading candidate to succeed the dismissed Ferdinand Feldhofer as GAK‑Trainer.
Interim appointment after the Rapid debacle
Laut GAK‑Präsident Rene Ziesler, the current Interimstrainer of the Grazer side has entered the Kandidatenkreis for the long‑term Nachfolge of the former Cheftrainer. The move followed the 0‑8 loss, after which Standfest was elevated from Co‑Trainer to Interims‑Cheftrainer.
Der Ex‑ÖFB‑Teamspieler now joins the Liste of potential GAK‑Cheftrainer, a fact the Bundesligist announced on Mittwoch. In his own words, Standfest answered a question about the new role with a simple “Was soll ich sagen? Ja”.
Background and scouting process
Chefscout Andreas Lienhart, who temporarily assumed the duties of sportliche Leitung after the health‑related pause of Sportdirektor Tino Wawra, received the board’s Auftrag to compile a Kandidatenliste. “Auf dieser Liste ist auch Joachim Standfest”, Lienhart confirmed, adding that no zeitliche Grenzen have been set for the search.
Standfest has worked seit Jänner as Co‑Trainer under Feldhofer and previously coached Altach in the Bundesliga for 42 Spiele. He also spent 263 Pflichtspiele as Spieler for the club where he could take the Cheftrainer post, despite being 46 Jahre alt.
Stefan ADEL SBERGER of Graz reported that the first opportunity for Standfest to showcase his own vision will be the Friday match in Ried at 19.30 Uhr on Sky. Meanwhile, the contract of Co‑Trainer Florian Hart was einvernehmlich beendet on Mittwoch at his own request.
GAK‑Präsident Ziesler hinted that the direction (Richtung) could indeed lead to Standfest, but stressed that the process will not be vorgespult. The club’s search continues as Lienhart sondiert den Markt for further options.
In summary, the stark contrast between the team’s recent defeat and Standfest’s rapid ascent underscores a pivotal moment for GAK, with the eventual Nachfolger to Feldhofer still to be confirmed.