Stephan Schwarz: GC sports director starts with a promise and a job guarantee

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The new GC sports director Stephan Schwarz (53) starts his term with a small slip of the tongue: “In the end, it was the overall constellation with LA Galaxy that convinced me of this job,” the German said when he was introduced. He is immediately corrected by Harald Gärtner (55), LAFC’s European boss. Black confidently smiles away his faux pas. “Of course LAFC,” said the new sports director.

It was clear that his predecessor Bernt Haas’ time under the new American owners would sooner or later run out. But why is the ranking changing the position of sports director now, in the middle of the relegation battle? “After our analysis, we came to the conclusion that new impetus is needed,” Gärtner explains. «The years that Bernt was here were not easy for him. We had the impression that he was carrying a backpack that could be a nuisance. That’s why we wanted to take advantage of the international break to install a new team leader.”

WG bosses have confidence in Berner

There will be no changes to the coaching position for the time being. Gärtner and Schwarz give Bruno Berner (46) a job guarantee. “We still have 100 percent confidence in the coach and technical staff. This is how we will continue together in the coming weeks,” Gärtner promises.

With Schwarz, the Hoppers sign an experienced Bundesliga man who worked as a scout for Stuttgart, 1860 Munich and Hoffenheim. At his last position in Augsburg, he worked as technical director between 2017 and 2019. Schwarz has taken advantage of longer stays abroad in recent years. He played for the American national team and for various clubs in South America. He also worked on a mandate basis for two clubs. He is not afraid to lose touch with daily affairs. “You don’t lose your network that easily,” Schwarz is sure.

Relegation is the ultimate goal

In Niederhasli the new team leader is challenged from the start. The contracts of eleven players expire at the end of the season. Will there be a major team change next summer? “I can’t judge that today,” says Schwarz. In the coming days he first wants to make a detailed analysis of the current team.

But one thing is clear: Black will have to prepare for different scenarios because of the table situation. The record champions are currently in the Barrage place in the Super League. The fact that the rankings have to duel with Thun or Sion at the end of May to stay in the competition is anything but an unrealistic scenario.

But no one on the GC campus wants to think about the Challenge League anymore. “The ultimate goal is to stay in the league,” Schwarz said. His first match as team leader could be a key match. On Easter Monday there will be a basement match against Lausanne-Sport in Letzigrund. If the Hoppers lose, the Vaudois can move up to five points in the table. Black will watch his debut from the players’ bench.

Source : Blick