First German since Büskens
SK Rapid Vienna has a German head coach for the first time since the days of Mike Büskens in 2016: Robert Klauß is taking over at Hütteldorfer and has signed a contract until 2026, as the traditional club announced. The 38-year-old, coach at 1. FC Nürnberg between 2020 and 2022, takes over from Zoran Barisic, whose separation Rapid decided at the beginning of the international break. Since then, Stefan Kulovits from Rapid II has led the training on an interim basis.
“I’m happy that it really worked out! In my first few hours in Vienna I was able to gain very interesting insights into my new club and also have my first conversations. The task at SK Rapid was extremely attractive to me from the first contact and I am sure that the team has good potential to play football successfully,” said Klauß in a statement from the club. “We still have three very important games on the program this year. I am definitely starting the new task with the highest motivation and can hardly wait to start working with my new colleagues and the team on and off the pitch .”
Barisic, who was the sports director at Rapid from 2019 to the end of 2022, took over the role of head coach in October 2022 and achieved an average points average of 1.54 in 46 competitive games. Most recently, the club fell out of the table region that qualifies for the championship round.
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Rapid managing director Steffen Hofmann said: “I am happy that in Robert Klauß we have found a young, committed coach who is committed to the most modern standards and who identifies one hundred percent with our path and our philosophy. The experiences he gained in my local area at 1. FC Nürnberg will also help him with us, as the ‘club’ has undeniable similarities to our club in some areas. In addition, as an assistant coach to two of the best international football teachers of our time in Leipzig, he was able to gain invaluable expertise and I am convinced that he will bring a lot of fresh air to our team and the entire club.”
Hofmann had already led the Rapids 2021 training on an interim basis for almost three weeks. With Lothar Matthäus (32 appearances in 2001/02), there was previously only one other German head coach at the club alongside Büskens.
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