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04. 02. 10. - 13:00

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04. 02. 10. - 13:00

LASK sack coach after transfer row and 'booze session' claims

Struggling Bundesliga side LASK Linz yesterday (Weds) sacked coach Matthias Hamann after a public row over the club’s transfer policy.

The former 1860 Munich midfielder – who last summer took over at the club which currently eighth in the ten-team league– criticised LASK president Peter-Michael Reichel for selling striker Roman Wallner to champions Red Bull Salzburg without consulting him.

Reichel argued the deal had eased the club’s financial situation, while Hamann – brother of former Liverpool FC star Dietmar Hamann – complained 37-year-old Christian Mayrleb was the last remaining striker in the squad.

Wallner had been seen as one of the team’s key players since the former Hannover 96 player found the net 14 times in 19 matches.

Hamann had also not been briefed about the recent instalment of former FC Sevilla striker Toni Polster as coach of the club’s amateur side and as its marketing consultant.

LASK officials issued a written statement saying they had to take the blame for "signing a former German fourth-league side coach" with Hamann.

"Several things were not okay and we had to draw the line," Reichel said today.

Oberösterreichische Nachrichten meanwhile reported players held a "binge drinking" on the final night of the team’s winter break training camp in Belek, Turkey. The newspaper claimed coaching staff allowed it or even participated in it.

"Things were broken and the hotel claimed compensation from us. I can’t tolerate that," Reichel said in a reaction to an ORF report that security personnel had to step in when things got out of hand at the holiday resort.

The LASK president said he would present a new manager "soon, maybe already on Friday".

Reichel dismissed speculation Polster would take over the hot seat. He said: "He will fully focus on his work with [amateur team] LASK Juniors."

The Bundesliga resumes on 12 February when LASK face leaders Rapid Vienna.

Austrian Times

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