Sonntag loss sparks Matthias‑cited warning of Aus for Wolfsberger coach

In the Lavanttal‑Arena on Sonntag, Wolfsberger Athletic Club (WAC) fell 0‑2 at home to former employers WSG Tirol, a result that has put Thomas Silberberger’s future in the balance and prompted talk of an Aus. The defeat marked the club’s fifth consecutive league loss and yielded only one point from the last seven rounds in the Admiral Bundesliga.

Season trajectory since April

Silberberger arrived at WAC in April, guiding the team to a modestly secure stay in the top flight that season. The new campaign began brightly with a win over Austria Vienna and a draw against Red Bull Salzburg, but the momentum quickly stalled.

“We have massive troubles staying stable,” the coach admitted, reflecting on the slide that has left WAC at the bottom of the table.

Club leadership’s response

Club chairman Dietmar Riegler announced that discussions are under way regarding the coach’s position, adding, “I exclude nothing.” He stressed that any decision will not be a “seconds‑decision” and that the players must also be held accountable.

Defender Marco Sulzner defended Silberberger, saying, “When you watch the game you cannot blame the coach; it lies with us.” He blamed the two conceded goals on lapses during set‑piece situations, a view echoed by the coach.

Silberberger’s tenure at WSG Tirol spanned from 2013 to 2024, and his successor Philipp Semlic appeared equally dissatisfied after the match, lamenting the lack of clarity and precision in WAC’s play.

WAC’s rivals sit six points ahead, while Altach sit five points above the relegation zone after a 0‑3 loss to Red Bull Salzburg. Opponent coach Ognjen Zaric criticised his own side’s defensive errors, noting a simple ball loss that led to the first goal.

Matthias Trinkl, reporting for the Bundesliga, highlighted that the club’s away record remains poor, having failed to secure points on foreign soil this season.

Looking ahead, WAC will face Austria Vienna, Ried and Hartberg, hoping to halt the slide and secure the points needed to survive in the Admiral Bundesliga.