The boss sets the direction

At the center is, of course, head coach Mauro Lustrinelli. The Swiss seems present during the training sessions, but never hectic. His instructions are clear and precise; he often combines short corrections with concrete solutions. He switches between German, Swiss German, Italian, and English as needed. Those who close their eyes and just listen to the training could almost recognize the new playing idea of the Eisernen. “Press, Press, Press,” Lustrinelli calls out. A few seconds later, he adds: “Forward!”

The commands accompany almost every game form and every pressing exercise. They serve as reminders, invitations, and philosophy at the same time. Because that is exactly where the journey is supposed to go: actively defend, courageously press, and look for a way back towards the opponent's goal as quickly as possible after winning the ball.

Finding a common language

Not only the players have to adjust to new processes. The coaching team is also in a joint development process: “Of course, we have agreements before the game and also before training about who takes on what, who coaches what, and accordingly, who communicates what,” explains assistant coach Sascha Stauch. These agreements are part of the daily routine of the coaching team. “This part with the agreements is naturally carried out daily and adjusted according to the training focus,” adds Sebastian Bönig. The aim is clear: The messages should be received clearly by the players. After all, the best content is of little use if it is communicated differently.

Many voices, one message

Each coach brings his own voice and personality to the pitch; however, these should not be understood as fixed role distributions, but rather as a snapshot of the day and the respective training content. Sebastian Bönig was, as usual, predominantly heard as a loud support and motivation. “Yes, come on! Get him!” “Deep, young man, deep!” “Shoot, Olu!” or a short “Clean” accompanied numerous actions.

Sascha Stauch repeatedly intervened with targeted suggestions for movement processes and positioning, while Enrico Schirinzi relied on short, concise commands. With a brief “Against!” he reminded the players, for example, of the desired reaction after losing the ball. Michel Renggli, on the other hand, stood out this Thursday particularly through positive feedback. “Well done, Tim” or “Onward, onward!” were heard across the pitch and underscored successful actions immediately during training.

Rest defense or preventive defending?

That a common coaching language doesn’t develop overnight is also due to the different backgrounds of the coaching team. “We do try as a coaching team to speak a language so that the players always know what is meant,” says Stauch. For this purpose, the coaches are currently working on a common terminology. “We are thinking of some kind of dictionary; however, we are still in a phase of development. Sometimes we have to distinguish between German and English.” There are also linguistic peculiarities from different football cultures. “Of course, there are differences between German and Swiss German,” explains Stauch. As an example, he mentions a term frequently used in modern football: While in Germany, it is usually referred to as “Restverteidigung,” the same process in Switzerland is often called “präventives Verteidigen.”

The Language of Goalkeepers

A special role within the coaching team is taken by goalkeeping coach Marcel Höttecke. While many topics concern the entire team, he works daily with a positional group that fulfills its own tasks and demands on the field. “With the goalkeepers, I naturally try to communicate with the necessary sharpness and intensity during training,” Höttecke describes his approach. Especially in game scenarios, he uses his position behind the goal to perceive situations from a different perspective. “When I stand behind the goal, I try to specifically address something or, during breaks, gather the perspective of the guys and talk about how they perceived it.”

That frequent short cues like “Short corner to!” echo across the field is part of the special language of goalkeeping. Often, just a few words are enough to correct positioning, decision-making, or processes. At the same time, the work thrives on constant exchange. Because for the goalkeepers, too, communication works best in both directions.

The Voice from the Background

While many instructions are directly audible on the training field, Adrian Wittmann often works somewhat less visibly. As the person responsible for game analysis, he provides the information that will later be communicated in meetings, one-on-one conversations, or on the training field. His language often consists of images, data, and video scenes. What the players are to implement later on the field often begins earlier on the screen.

More than Just Commands

Like the team, the coaching staff is also in a shared development process at the start of a new season. Different experiences, various countries of origin, and individual communication styles come together and grow step by step. “Just as the team and the players must find themselves at the beginning of a new season, we have to do so as well,” describes Sebastian Bönig the current situation. In the end, more should come from it than just many individual voices. “In the end, we - and thus our language - will become more and more a unit,” says the assistant coach.

After another intensive session in Irdning, it was not only visible what the Eisernen are working on on the field. One could also hear how a common language is being developed step by step in the background. Different characters, different voices, but a common goal: to make the team a little better every day.

Personnel Update and Information for Fan Evening

Striker Andrej Ilić had to leave the training camp in Styria prematurely due to illness. The Serbian traveled back to Berlin on Thursday to fully concentrate on his recovery there.

All other Union professionals who traveled will, however, be present at the traditional fan evening. The event begins on Friday, 07.08.2026. Doors will open at 19:00 at the Festhalle Irdning (Kürschnergasse, 8952 Irdning), where the team will spend the evening together with the traveling Unioners.

Quote of the Day: "Sometimes you forget that you're no longer in your late twenties," said assistant coach Sebastian Bönig with a smile, after he decided to jog from the training ground back to the hotel, accepting some elevation gain along the way.

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