Austria officially asks - Will the lions let Gorenzel go?

Will he soon get a farewell picture himself? The 1860 sports director Günther Gorenzel, who was willing to emigrate. © Imago

Actually, the Lions should now put together their squad for 2023/24. Instead, there is a new stir - because sports director Gorenzel is drawn to his homeland.

Season ticket sales started on Wednesday at TSV 1860. "Still coveted" and "limited" tickets can be read on the homepage of the third-division club, and it can be assumed that many Löwen fans will strike again. Out of habit. Out of love for the club. But certainly not because the anticipation for the 2023/24 season is so great.

There was euphoria last year, when shortly after the last game of the season, nine of the ten new signings were already signed. The number of employees as of 1 June 2023: ten safe departures – with exactly zero fixed additions (apart from internal replacements from the youth teams). The lions can't even do the simplest exercise at the moment. Our editorial team knows: The future Hanoverian Marius Wörl (19) is waiting to commit to his training club on loan for another year, but the negotiated contract is on hold. Because power games are once again being played out in the club at the most inopportune time.

Not even fir Wörl-Leihe can be fixed

At the centre of the current turmoil: sporting director Günther Gorenzel (51), who would like to leave the club sooner rather than later. The Austrian has received two concrete offers. One from Russia, which he cannot accept for moral reasons (from St. Petersburg). And one from his homeland: Austria Klagenfurt beckons. In the meantime, a representative of the Carinthians has officially inquired at 1860, but learned that the matter is complicated.

Our editorial team knows: The Lions would release Gorenzel from the contract, which runs until 2024 – but only if both shareholder sides agree. As always, it's all about who has the last word. And about money. Gorenzel's working paper stipulates that 70 percent of his annual salary is due if the employment relationship is terminated prematurely. Gorenzel was entitled to it if he was to resign in 1860. Conversely, the Lions are entitled to 70 percent if Gorenzel leaves early. The problem: St. Petersburg could pay this high five-figure sum, last year's sixth in the Admiral Bundesliga rather not.

Do both shareholders agree to the Gorenzel change?

Anyone who knows the lions knows that the whole thing is becoming a political issue. On the one hand, there is the question: How much money is it worth to the HAM side around investor Hasan Ismaik to get rid of Gorenzel, which has been worked towards for some time with a targeted pinprick policy? On the other hand, the question is: Who could succeed Gorenzel, should his urge for a change of air be granted? The preferred candidate of the HAM side cannot be communicated to the presidium (Anthony Power). And it is extremely unlikely that both sides will find a consensus, i.e. agree on a successor candidate without using the 50+1 club.

It's about a transfer fee in the five-digit range

After all, there should be agreement on one point despite the frosty relationship between the shareholders. According to information from our editors, there will no longer be two managing directors as before in the future. So no matter who succeeds Gorenzel, he will no longer be equipped with the competencies of a managing director, but will only act as head of sport, who can only hire or hire staff with the consent of CFO Marc-Nicolai Pfeifer (contract until 2024), even within the framework of the approved budget.

Against this background, it is obvious that no quick decision is to be expected: fans and season ticket buyers who are waiting for a spirit of optimism must therefore continue to exercise patience. Likewise Wörl and other potential "accesses". If they don't lose interest first.