Graz club forces GAK sport director Tino Wawra into health break

In the quiet of the Graz stadium, club officials gathered around a modest table, the echo of empty seats underscoring the seriousness of the day. GAK sport director Tino Wawra was announced to be taking a health‑related break, removing him from daily duties for the coming weeks.

The Grazer club disclosed the decision on Monday, stating that Wawra would be unavailable to the club in the weeks ahead due to a medical pause. The announcement emphasized that the 47‑year‑old would not be at the club’s disposal during this period.

"The goal is to return to the board fully recharged after a health‑related pause," the club’s statement read, highlighting the intention for Wawra to recover before resuming his responsibilities.

Chief scout Andreas Lienhart was named to assume the sport leadership on an interim basis. Lienhart will temporarily take over the tasks normally handled by the sport director, ensuring continuity in the club’s sporting operations.

Having served as GAK’s chief scout, Lienhart now shoulders the interim sport director duties, a role he will fulfil until Wawra’s return. His appointment was described as interim, underscoring the temporary nature of the arrangement.

The press release, issued by REINHARD EISENBAUER, confirmed that the football Bundesliga club from Graz must temporarily do without its sport director. The statement clarified that the club’s board had approved the interim solution.

GAK, a football Bundesliga club based in Graz, relies on its leadership team to navigate the season’s challenges. The club’s identity as a Grazer institution was reiterated throughout the communication.

In the opening match of the new Bundesliga season, league champions LASK secured a 3‑0 home victory over GAK, a result that adds context to the club’s current sporting situation.