WAT Simmering has grown considerably in recent years. One person in particular achieved this: head coach Manuel Rösler. He was committed to the club with a lot of passion and dedication. Now he says goodbye.
VIENNA/SIMMERING. 25 years in Austria, 8 years as head trainer at WAT Simmering – and now Manuel Rösler is saying goodbye. On Sunday, December 22nd, he will accompany the last match against BSC Wolfurt in the Mollardgasse sports hall. He then officially resigns. Rösler is heading back to Germany. The decision was not easy; a solution was sought for a long time. In an interview with MeinBezirk he reveals the background and looks back on a successful and emotional time as a coach of the badminton club.
How did the decision to step down as head coach come about?
MANUEL RÖSLER: Unfortunately not entirely voluntarily. I am an independent entrepreneur. This means that I have various clients, primarily from the competitive sector. For me, being a coach is my main thing, but it’s difficult to make ends meet on my own. A few weeks ago I lost a large client. As a result, it is simply no longer possible for me financially and, after much consideration, I had to make the decision to go back into employment. I’ll do that in Germany. This was not possible in Austria. The club simply couldn’t cover the costs of becoming self-employed. I’m also not disappointed that we can’t get this off the ground.
“Covered a lot of areas”
Are you staying with the club from Germany?
Yes, it was my wish and that of the association to find a way in which I could help as an external consultant from Germany. I covered a lot of areas, such as coordination and sponsorship, which we urgently need. We only receive a small amount of funding.
How has the club grown with you?
We are approaching 300 members and the number is increasing, and the number of requests is not decreasing. I think the club still needs me because I’ve gained so much. If I let it all go, I think it would collapse like a house of cards. I wouldn’t like that, I wouldn’t like that.
How has the club grown with you over the years?
We are approaching 300 members and growing. I think the club still needs me because I’ve taken on so much. If I let everything go, I think he would collapse like a house of cards. I wouldn’t be happy with that.
What’s next for the club? Is there a successor coming?
Yes and no. My goal has always been to put the right people in the right position, like a puzzle we put together. We are not a club that writes to any players, but there is always a personal relationship. Bringing in someone from outside is always dangerous. We will resolve this internally. Katharina Hochmeir, Philipp Drexler and Vilson Vattanirappel – all three multiple national champions – will take over this (training, note). We will also get a new player from Germany. He will cover the youth sector. There will be no more head coaches in this form.
Club is a term
What’s next for you?
I will work in marketing for a Japanese sporting goods supplier in the tennis and badminton sector. I don’t actually plan on working as a coach again. No matter what I do, I always go into it with my whole heart. That’s the most important thing for me. After this long and intensive time, I can’t suddenly start somewhere else. It was just too emotional for me.
What were your personal highlights at WAT Simmering?
Definitely that with a medium-sized club you can become a really big player within a few years and that you really get noticed on the badminton map. Today badminton in Austria is clearly linked to simmering. We are also well known in the district. I wanted to do that.
What were the greatest sporting successes?
The promotion to the 1st Bundesliga was the most emotional, especially the way there. A few years ago this was unthinkable. The first league is already very strong. The fact that we got promoted – and hopefully stay up there – is really a big deal. Then of course Pascal Cheng and his successes, especially the bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games. The collaboration with Pascal was very intensive. I will continue to support him and hope that he will become a professional.
Is the championship title in the 1st Bundesliga realistic without you?
Yes, but that is also far too expensive. We are already financially burdened and a sponsor has also dropped out. Then again the question is what for. You don’t get any money for the championship title, that’s crazy. This criticism goes to the association because they should actually ensure that you have such a financial incentive. But I don’t want to become champion for myself, but for the players, the club and the district too.
Will it be difficult for you to no longer be involved from the coaching bench?
Definitely, especially now that I have the feeling that all the cogs are meshing together. Many players identify with the club. Actually, my big goal was to become champion in the 1st Bundesliga. It hurts not to be able to experience it properly anymore. But you shouldn’t make that about yourself. It’s always the successes of the players that I can only help a little bit with. But I got the best out of it.
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