Blau-Weiß Linz is working on some construction sites

The construction of the new stadium for FC Blau-Weiss Linz is progressing step by step – and the second division soccer team is also working on some construction sites apart from the project of the century. After the imminent departure of sports director Tino Wawra, the club was once again able to announce positive news yesterday: “Hofmann Personal” was presented as the stadium sponsor of the new home where Gerald Scheiblehner will set up the Royal Blues: the 46-year-old successful coach’s contract, which expires in the summer was extended to 2025.

“We are not only united in our colors, the founding year of our company and Blau-Weiss Linz are also identical,” says Helmut Herzog, Managing Director of “Hofmann Personal”. The personnel service provider based in St. Florian has already adorned the blue and white alternative stadium on the association’s facility with its logo. Even then, the company was assured that if there was interest, it would also be able to advertise the new stadium as its namesake. An opportunity that was seized: the partnership was concluded for three years. “We’re looking forward to a real stadium now,” says Herzog with a smile.

Video: New stadium sponsor and coaching contract extension at Blau-Weiss.

700 subscriptions sold

A real stadium, which of course has its price: while the yearly sponsorship of the name on the facility in Daimlerstrasse was in the mid-five-digit range, this will now be multiplied. Blue and white does not have to hide with the deal in the Bundesliga internal comparison either, is about on par with Upper Austria rival SV Ried in terms of the financial contribution of the stadium namesake. Interest in the new home is already great: in the first week of sales, around 700 subscriptions were sold – and eight of the ten boxes have already been taken.

Coach Scheiblehner also found a linguistic bridge to the new stadium: “Because the stadium is being built on top of a furniture warehouse, it is higher than other arenas. And we want to go even higher.” But on Saturday in the home game against Admira, compensation for the fall at the Young Violets will be required.

Coach before sports director

When it comes to promotion for blue and white in the coming weeks, the question of the new sports director should also be clarified. Is it atypical that the coach’s contract is first extended before a new sporting director is hired? “I discussed the trainer case with all potential candidates – everyone would stand by our current path,” says Blau-Weiss managing director Christoph Peschek, whose list has recently become shorter. With the three to four remaining candidates, it should soon go into the decisive phase of the talks.