Meister LASK dominates Bruno Gala as Didi Kühbauer wins coach award
Under the glittering chandeliers of a packed hall in Wien on Monday evening, the football world turned its eyes to the 30th Bruno Gala, where Meister LASK was the undisputed star, collecting multiple trophies that night.
A night of Linz pride
The ceremony, photographed by Yigit Oerme, celebrated the season’s best from Linz – the team, trainer, player and goalkeeper of the season all hailed from the city. Organised by the Vereinigung der Fußballer in partnership with spusu, the event honoured those who excelled on the pitch.
LASK were named Mannschaft der Saison 2025/26, confirming their dominance in Austrian football. The accolade was presented alongside the honour for Meister Austria as the best team, underscoring the club’s sweeping success.
Individual brilliance recognised
Captain Sascha Horvath received the Spieler der Saison award, a testament to his leadership. Als Spieler der Saison wurde er gefeiert, while his caretaker Dietmar Kühbauer, also known as Didi, was crowned Trainer der Saison for the second time, having first won the prize in 2012 after guiding Admira Wacker to third place.
Goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth lifted the Tormann der Saison trophy, completing the LASK clean‑sheet of honours. Sarah Mattner‑Trembleau of SKN St. Pölten was named Spielerin der Saison, highlighting the impact of women’s football.
Other individual awards included Konrad Laimer of Bayern München as Legionär der Saison and Marc Stendera of SKN St. Pölten as the best player in the 2. Liga. Chiara D'Angelo of Werder Bremen earned the Legionärin der Saison title, and the Austrian U17 national team received an honorary prize for their vice‑world‑champion finish in Qatar 2025.
Gernot Zirngast, the initiator of the Bruno award, remarked, "Nobody can assess the performances of footballers better than those who share the pitch with them week after week. That this idea still works 30 years after Bruno Pezzey’s death is something very special."
The gala not only celebrated the season’s achievements but also reinforced the legacy of Bruno Pezzey, who died in 1994 at the age of 39, ensuring his name remains synonymous with excellence in Austrian football.