Austria’s BVB star Sabitzer praises ex-Knappenschmiede coach Onur Cinel

Austria is considered the secret favorite at the European Championships. According to BVB star Marcel Sabitzer, this is also due to ex-Schalker Onur Cinel.

Austria is considered the secret favorite for the title at the UEFA European Championship 2024. After strong performances against France (0:1), Poland (3:1) and the Netherlands (3:2), Ralf Rangnick’s team is in the round of 16 and will face Turkey (Tuesday, July 2, 9 p.m.).

According to BVB star Marcel Sabitzer, the Austrians’ German coaching team has played a big part in the team’s good performance. Of course, Ralf Rangnick as head coach is in the spotlight and in the front row. But at the press conference after the game against the Netherlands, Sabitzer also explicitly praised assistant coach Onur Cinel.

“I think we have a very good man in Onur Cinel, especially when it comes to playing with the ball, who always gives us good input and shows us where we want to play,” said Sabitzer about the long-time coach of the Knappenschmiede and self-confessed Schalke fan. Rangnick also has a Schalke past. “So I can only say that we are very, very happy with the whole coaching team and we are delighted to be working successfully with them,” said Sabitzer.

Cinel left the Royal Blues a year ago because the club was unable to offer him any interesting prospects. Cinel won the German championship with S04’s U17s in 2022.

Missed out on title with Salzburg

Since July 1, he has coached FC Liefering and was appointed interim coach at RB Salzburg in the final sprint of the Austrian Bundesliga season, with whom he missed out on the title. He will remain on Pep Lijnders’ staff as assistant coach at RB for the new season. Cinel had already worked with the Austrian national team during his time at Schalke.

And how does Sabitzer see the Austrians’ prospects? They have only survived the preliminary round for now. “Once you’re in the knockout stages, you can go on a run,” he said. You look from game to game: “But we have the quality to beat any opponent. But it will be a very difficult road. “