Salzburg presents Thomas Letsch: New coach, old goals

Thomas Letsch came, saw – and first greeted all the journalists present with a handshake. “Happy New Year!” he wished everyone. He was brought in to make 2025 more enjoyable for Salzburg than 2024.

“I’m looking forward to the task. It feels right and good.” Also because he never gave up his Salzburg residence anyway.

The fact that the 56-year-old has already worked in Salzburg was important Sports director Rouven Schröder “an aspect, but not decisive”. Letsch sees it similarly: “Of course it has advantages, but a lot has happened since then.”

A lot has to happen now, and quickly. How does he want to approach it? “The basic requirement is a team structure; we want to form a unit as quickly as possible.”

Letsch wants to get to know his players better in the coming weeks, but under special circumstances. “It’s not a normal preparation with the games against Bayern and then in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Atletico.“

After a disastrous autumn in the Bundesliga, Salzburg only hibernated in fifth place. Letsch’s first competitive game will be in the Champions League against Real Madrid. The ex-Austria coach will sit on the bench for the first time on Monday when the test against Bayern takes place. The German formulated his goals clearly: “We want to become champions and cup winners.” This is not a sure-fire success after autumn, but it is possible. “If I didn’t believe in it, I would be in the wrong place.”

From the playground, Salzburg could go “back to the roots”. “My first time here in Salzburg has had a big impact on me; I’m all about active football.” The mathematics (and sports) teacher doesn’t want to get involved in number games when it comes to the system. Whether 4-3-3, 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1 is not that important: “For me it’s more about principles than about the basic order. This will then crystallize.”

After the presentation, the new head coach asked for the first training session of the year. The convalescent ones Fernando (according to sports director Schröder a candidate for departure), Kjaergaard, Konate, Piatkowski und Capaldo were missing in Taxham. The first winter newcomer was already there. Karim Onisiwo (32) raises the average age of the team and should also do the same with the quality. The striker comes from Mainz, where he also met sports director Schröder.

All that remains is to wish Thomas Letsch a happy 2025 and good work. The biggest glitch may have happened during his presentation, when he was temporarily unable to be heard in the live stream. As long as his players hear him…