With Confidence into Spring: Head Coach Hans Kleer in Interview
At the start of the spring season, Vienna is looking ahead with great confidence. After intense weeks of preparation, specific adjustments were made during the winter break—both athletically and in terms of personnel. Head coach Hans Kleer was able to complete a full preparation period with the team for the first time. The coach believes his side is well prepared for the spring opener and Friday night’s home top match against SKN St. Pölten. In the interview, he talks about the lessons learned from the autumn, the changes made during the winter, and the goals for a positive and successful spring campaign.
Hans, you took over the team in the middle of the season during a difficult phase. How did you experience your return, and how do you assess the autumn from a sporting perspective?
- I was very happy to return to my former club. Vienna has developed strongly in recent years and is pursuing clear goals and visions. When I took over, the situation was very tense and there was a lot of negativity within the squad. The pressure created by high expectations was noticeable in all areas and affected the team as well. As a result, we couldn’t build any positive momentum—especially at home, where we dropped too many points.
What insights did you gain from that period, and what has already improved since then?
- It became clear that we needed to adjust the squad in the winter. We specifically looked for hungry players with leadership qualities and strong mentality. During the winter break, we deliberately made corrections. We wanted a reset and also parted ways with certain players who did not fit our requirements. In that respect, the composition of the squad has improved significantly.
How important are mentality and team chemistry compared to pure quality?
- Football is a team sport, and it’s no longer just about individual quality. With the right mentality and a functioning team structure, you can compensate for many things. Of course, you need quality in certain areas, but without mentality and teamwork, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to succeed in modern football. You can see that at the international level as well.
Can these factors make the difference in the second division, where things are very tight competitively?
- Absolutely. In the second division, matches are close and evenly matched. But in decisive moments, these factors make the difference. How does a team present itself as a unit? How does it handle pressure on the pitch and in the dressing room? Team spirit and character are essential here.
You’ve now completed your first full preparation period with the team. What were your main focuses during winter training, and what progress have you seen?
- The focus was on our play without the ball, particularly pressing, tackling behavior, and counter-pressing. We also worked intensively on set pieces. In possession, we concentrated on build-up play and our actions in the final third. Another important aspect was integrating the new players and developing the team spirit. The training camp in Belek was extremely valuable for that. I’d also like to thank our partners and sponsors who made it possible.
How have the new players settled in?
- Very well. Marco Gantschnig has taken on a leadership role from the very beginning. Florian Prohart brings a lot of second-division experience and is a real asset to our midfield, both offensively and defensively. Meguru Odagaki adds more variability to our attack. He’s technically strong, a good finisher, and also a great addition off the pitch. Max Mergner received excellent training at Bayern Munich and has already shown his qualities. We’re convinced that all the new signings will be very valuable for the club in the long term.
Can you feel new energy or a sense of optimism within the team?
- Yes, definitely. We consciously used the winter break to mentally close the chapter on autumn. The squad changes have brought new energy to the training ground. The friendly matches were positive, and with players like Gantschnig and Prohart, there’s fresh momentum in terms of mentality. Our young homegrown players have also made significant progress and will get their opportunities in the spring.
What’s the current situation with injured players?
- Monschein, Rusek, Szerencsi, and Edelhofer have returned to team training. We’ll decide individually when they’re ready for match action. Unfortunately, Ungar and Alozie will be sidelined for a longer period.
What should Vienna stand for this spring?
- We want to represent honest, intense football. Our goal is to press high, win the ball back quickly, and play forward with determination. In possession, we want to stay patient, find solutions, and act consistently and courageously in the final third to break down opponents.
What would a successful spring look like for you personally, and where do you still see potential for improvement?
- Due to the reduced squad size and the associated rejuvenation, the main focus for me is how we approach and shape our matches. What matters is our performance over the full 90 minutes and the willingness to give everything in every game. If we can consistently perform at that level, I’m convinced we’ll also move up the table. We see development potential in all areas, especially in the final third and in attacking set pieces.
With what feeling are you starting the spring season, and what goals have you set internally as a team?
- With a very good one. The new players are well integrated, the harmony within the squad is right, and the young players have developed strongly. They are real options for the remainder of the season. Against St. Pölten, we are the underdogs, but we want to surprise. Internally, we have also set goals that we want to achieve this spring.
You mentioned it earlier: the spring opener is a top match against SKN St. Pölten at Hohe Warte. How great is the anticipation?
- We’re really looking forward to it. It’s always special to stand in the stadium in front of our own fans. I hope for great support, even in cold temperatures. Of course, we want to show that we can implement what we worked on during the winter preparation in competitive matches.
How important are such matches for self-confidence?
- Success and self-confidence are enormously important in sport. A positive start is therefore crucial for the rest of the season. At the same time, I feel that the team is now much better equipped to deal with setbacks.
What role do the fans at Hohe Warte play?
- The fans play a very important role at a traditional club like Vienna. Our supporters are incredibly loyal and also backed us strongly away from home in the autumn. Unfortunately, we couldn’t always give them the results they deserved. We want to change that this spring. Our goal is to turn Hohe Warte into a real fortress again.
What makes a matchday at Hohe Warte special for you?
- The atmosphere is simply unique. For a second-division club, the fan culture is extraordinary and makes working here as a coach very special.
What does working at Vienna mean to you personally?
- Football is my life, and I’m very grateful to take on this role at a club with great ambitions. Having been part of this club both as a player and as a coach creates a special bond. I want to contribute to achieving Vienna’s goals.
How important is identification with the club for long-term success?
- Very important. If you truly identify with a club and don’t just see it as an employer, you automatically bring more commitment and emotion. That releases additional energy and is crucial for long-term satisfaction. Work should be enjoyable, regardless of sporting results.
What role do patience and realism play at a traditional club, especially when things don’t go as planned?
- (laughs) Tradition also means there were great successes in the past. That creates certain expectations. People often look only at positive memories and forget the difficult phases. Every traditional club has to deal with that. In a performance-oriented society, these expectations can ultimately only be managed through results.
Why is now the right time to come to the stadium and watch this team live?
- Because we will show a different face—with new intensity and strong team spirit. We’re also committing to young homegrown players, which strengthens identification between the club and our fans. Especially in this situation, we need our supporters to help us generate extra energy in decisive moments.
What motivates you every day, and what message would you like to give the fans?
- The daily new challenges in football—especially working with a team and young people who share my passion for the game and want to succeed together—motivate me enormously. The fans can look forward to honest, intense, and determined football. I promise that the team will give 100 percent in every match.
