From the state league to the A class: That is the path that Christoph Saller (48) is taking.
After his early departure from 1. FC Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he has now landed in Grainau.
Grainau
- Some call it a coup - if you look at it from the Grainau corner.
Others will certainly call the obligation a surprise, even a sensation – from a somewhat more neutral point of view.
But one thing is clear, one way or another: the footballers of SC Eibsee Grainau made a transfer that caused a sensation.
Because the A-Classist, who had been in the relegation battle for a long time this year, has caught Christoph Saller as a new coach.
The ex-coach of the regional league team of 1. FC Garmisch-Partenkirchen, who was responsible for the sporting processes at Gröben for eight years before his premature departure.
The entire regional football world is interested in how this came about.
Stefan Elsner, the head of department at Grainauer, cannot tell any great horror stories or fairy tales.
"Privately, the contact had been there for years," he says.
And now it comes: "We just approached him and asked." Sounds really simple.
After a period of reflection, the decision is made in favor of Grainau
Of course, Saller didn't make the decision that easy for himself.
He has already asked for time to think about it.
Of course, other offers were also involved.
According to reports, there was interest from Krün, probably also from the Penzberg corner.
Ultimately, however, the choice fell on the Grainauer.
"I'm very excited about what's to come," says the 48-year-old.
Criteria for him are "comradeship and cohesion".
In addition: "In the games that I've seen, there was clearly potential."
With the signing of the big name, Andreas Zinn has taken a backseat to the SCG.
“But he has no problem shifting down a gear,” emphasizes Elsner.
This is also confirmed by the previous coach, who is very busy professionally.
"If so, then I want to do it right, and I couldn't have guaranteed that anymore." So he now remains in the game as the second man.
"I will always stand by Christoph Saller when I can." In addition, the former keeper wants to focus more on training goalkeepers in the future.
Ex-coach Andreas Zinn provides his help
Saller gladly accepts the help: "For me it's a blessing," he clarifies and speaks of a "fine move" by Zinn.
After all, hardly anyone knows the players better than the man who has looked after them himself over the past few years.
One thing should be clear to everyone in Grainau from now on: A different wind will blow at the sports facility in the Eibseesiedlung.
Saller also announces this with words: "I don't just want to play at the back in the relegation battle, the team is actually too high quality for that." However, he still dampens the goals a bit.
"Of course, promotion is always a goal, but the question is rather when that will be possible." For the team, which was in the middle of a relegation battle last season, a different motto will apply in the future.
"The camaraderie should continue to be the focus, in terms of football we want to try to get the best out of it," emphasizes the coach.
SCG captain Markus Masur predicts: "There will be more train in it"
The team is already looking forward to next season.
Captain Markus Masur, who has already trained under Saller at 1. FC Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is excited: "I think we definitely have to do some football ABC first." But he also slowed the momentum a little .
"Our expectations shouldn't be in the district class straight away." From his point of view, however, things will change.
"There will be more train in it, the overall package will be different," predicts Masur.
Saller will also have to adapt: "Obviously there is a big difference in performance between the state league and the A-class." He is aware of that.
"But you can coach any team." Patience is likely to be an important virtue on both sides.
In any case, Saller is looking forward to one thing: less driving.
This district league is “a super interesting story”.
Precisely because of the many regional games.
"Our longest away trip is the game at Murnauer Reserve, that's something completely different than with 1. FC."
David Korber
