Stefan Stangl and Philipp Erhardt move to newcomers Türkgücü Munich. The former Austrian national player and the Austrian Bundesliga professional want to go to the 2nd Bundesliga with Türkgücü Munich in the medium to long term.
- With Stefan Stangl and Philipp Erhardt, Türkgücü Munich signed two established Austrians who should help you qualitatively.
- Stefan Stangl and Philipp Erhardt were both recently active in the Austrian Bundesliga. The former has 90 appearances, while the latter appeared 124 times in the domestic Bundesliga.
- With Türkgücü Munich you want to move up to the 2nd Bundesliga in the next few years .
Munich - Türkgücü Munich signed the former Austrian international Stefan Stangl and the identity figure of the former Austrian Bundesliga club SV Mattersburg Philipp Erhardt. In the interview you revealed your reasons for switching to the previously unknown club, your ideas about the future and your disappointment with the unusual Oktoberfest.
Stefan Stangl, you were Austrian and Slovak champions, you played the Europa League and were once in action for Austria. Isn't the move to the 3rd division a step backwards?
No not at all. The league can be compared to the Austrian Bundesliga. Red Bull Salzburg is of course another dimension. Other Austrians like Patrick Möschl (most recently from 1. FC Magdeburg, editor's note) went into the third division and did not play.
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Did you even know the club before? Stefan Stangl: No, I had to find out more and quickly read that the club had a lot of success in a very short time. It is a very interesting project that is far from over. Philipp Erhardt: Alex Schmidt called me and told me a lot about the association. I then quickly noticed that something was emerging here. I like that.
Türkgücü Munich has marched through from the regional league to the third division in the last three years. In three years at the latest, the club would like to move up to the 2nd Bundesliga. Does that fit your own goals?
Philipp Erhardt: Absolutely, I have high goals and want to achieve them with the club. Stefan Stangl: It's not my or our goal to play in the third division for years. We want to move up and will do everything we can to make it work.
Your new employer is seen on the one hand as the most heartless project in German football and on the other hand as a great project. Have you heard of that?
Stefan Stangl: Not yet. But when the season starts and hopefully spectators can return to the stadium, we will notice. Because the association polarizes not only in Munich, but throughout Germany. Anyone who knows the Turkish mentality knows that we really stick together.
Philipp Erhardt, your club had to be relegated from the Austrian Bundesliga due to the major commercial bank scandal. Does this case also influence current thought processes?
No. The issue was dealt with very quickly and was shelved. When I received the offer from Türkgücü, I was no longer influenced by it.
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Stefan Stangl, what role did your ex-trainer Alexander Schmidt play in the move?
He was a key factor. The club went to great lengths to help me and with him as coach, the overall concept ultimately worked. I see Türkgücü as the next step in my career. I want to gather the necessary match practice here that I have been missing lately.
How did the club ultimately convince you?
Philipp Erhardt: For me it was Alex Schmidt. He showed me my role in his plan for the coming season. That impressed me. The whole package worked and it quickly became clear that I wanted to accept the offer. Stefan Stangl: For me the club philosophy and the goals were decisive. Just like me, the club is far from over. Türkgücü Munich went to great lengths to help me and we quickly came to an agreement.
Did the corona pandemic influence the decision?
Stefan Stangl: I didn't want to play poker a lot. There are many free transfer players and it is very difficult to find a suitable club. So I wanted a quick deal.
Were there any other interested parties besides Türkgücü Munich?
Stefan Stangl: Yes, of course. There were talks with other clubs, but we quickly came to an agreement financially. Other clubs were still in the middle of the season and couldn't plan.
Do you help each other in Munich?
Stefan Stangl: Yes, yes. It's always difficult when you don't know anyone in a new team. Everyone speaks German here, the team is cool and welcomed us very well. But of course it's nice when there's an Austrian on the team. Philipp Erhardt: Stangl has been here a few days longer and picked me up from the hotel by car before the first training session. That definitely helps.
Türkgücü Munich has so far had to train on a district sports facility and share the facility with other clubs. I'm sure that's new for you too, isn't it?
Philipp Erhardt: Yes, but not a problem. I was used to it differently, but the club just grew very quickly. The infrastructure could not keep up with the development. Stefan Stangl: Of course I've seen other things, but that's not decisive for me. It is important that we perform on the pitch. The club does a lot for us. President Hasan Kivran works around the clock for the association and makes sure that we are all well.
Several derbies and duels against traditional clubs await the club. How big is the anticipation?
Stefan Stangl: When I signed here, I was hoping that we would play against 1860 Munich. I'm really looking forward to the derby against the lions in the Olympic Stadium. Philipp Erhardt: What's better than derbies? Hopefully the spectators will soon be allowed in the stadium again.
( Filip Vukoja )