Vienna has a new head coach: Hans Kleer returns
Hans Kleer is the new head coach of First Vienna FC 1894. The 56-year-old from Vienna moves from third-division side ASKÖ Oedt to Hohe Warte and is expected to use his long-standing experience and proven expertise to drive the ambitious goals of Döbling’s club in the ADMIRAL 2nd League.
President Kurt Svoboda:“I’m very pleased that we were able to bring an experienced football professional like Hans Kleer on board. He knows how the Blue-Yellows tick, because he not only played for the club, but also achieved success as head coach. I hope he picks up right where he left off back then.”
Return to Hohe Warte
For Vienna, Kleer’s appointment brings things full circle. Between 1992 and 1995, the Viennese already spent three years on the pitch in the Blue-Yellow jersey. From 2016 to 2018, he also served as head coach of the club, leading Vienna to the championship title in the Regionalliga Ost during a financially difficult period. Promotion was denied at the time for financial reasons, and forced relegation even sent Vienna down to the fifth tier.
Now, Hans Kleer returns to Hohe Warte as an experienced football expert. Alongside his sporting competence, he also brings a deep emotional bond with the club. His debut comes today, Tuesday, with the start of training, just in time for the away match against Young Violets on Saturday. Kleer will be supported by assistant coach Roman Kienast, goalkeeping coach Patrick Kostner, and fitness coach Nikola Zivotic. A new addition to the coaching staff is assistant coach Drazen Grujicic, with whom Kleer has already worked in Traiskirchen and Stripfing. Aleksandar Gitsov, however, will no longer be part of the coaching staff and will leave Vienna.
Sporting director Andreas Ivanschitz:
“We are very happy to have secured Hans Kleer as our new head coach. He knows Vienna from the past and also brings a wealth of experience from various positions in Austrian football. We are convinced that Hans will make the best use of the existing squad and give the team the right impulses to achieve our goals in the current season. At the same time, I would like to thank Aleksandar Gitsov for his work and commitment over the past two months and wish him all the best for the future.”
Head coach Hans Kleer on his return:“It feels great to be back here. Vienna is a special club for me, with which I’ve already experienced many defining moments. Returning again as head coach fills me with pride. What matters most to me is that we grow together as a team — only if everyone pulls in the same direction can we achieve our goals. And we also want to carry our fans along with us, so that we can be successful together.”
Career and achievements
Hans Kleer has been active as a coach in Austrian football since the 2004/05 season. His career began at SV Donau, where he won the title in the Vienna City League in his very first season. He then coached, among others, Austria Lustenau, Wiener Sport-Club, and FAC, with whom he won the Regionalliga Ost in 2013/14. He repeated this success in 2016/17 with Vienna. Further positions followed at SV Horn, SV Stripfing, FCM Traiskirchen, and most recently ASKÖ Oedt.
As a player, Kleer also looks back on an impressive career: he played 192 matches in Austria’s second division — including for Vienna, SKN St. Pölten, and Austria Lustenau. For the Vorarlberg side, he also made 59 Bundesliga appearances.
