The 48-year-old has switched to the Hamburg Towers, who do not want to see their new coach in a dual role. Korner, who took over the ÖBV team three years ago, will be succeeded by his previous assistant Chris O’Shea.
Korner has signed a two-year contract with the Hamburg BBL Club. For the Viennese it is the third club in Germany after Braunschweig and Bayreuth. Since the Towers are represented in the EuroCup, the second highest European competition, they don’t want to release Korner for the Austrian team. The final pre-qualifiers for the European Championship on June 30th against Ireland and on July 3rd against Cyprus will therefore be his farewell performances.
“Doesn’t pay for my living”
“The national team is close to my heart and always will be, but it doesn’t pay for my living,” said Korner, who remains a member of the association’s sports council. “However, we were prepared for this situation. We have built up a competent staff around me who can continue the project that has started even without my presence.”
O’Shea will therefore be team boss of the ÖVB team from August, Stefan Grassegger will be his first assistant. “It’s a great honor,” said O’Shea. The US coach of the Klosterneuburg Dukes is hoping for a successful conclusion to Korner’s era with promotion to the next qualifying round before he begins his duties. “Raoul has started to develop an Austrian basketball identity. I look forward to joining with Stefan Grassegger and the entire staff and to consolidating and further shaping this identity,” said O’Shea.
Source: Nachrichten
