Jürgen Säumel

Jürgen Säumel
Säumel in 2025
Personal information
Full name Jürgen Säumel
Date of birth (1984-09-08) 8 September 1984
Place of birth Friesach, Austria
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sturm Graz
Youth career
TSV Neumarkt
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2008 Sturm Graz 140 (9)
2008–2010 Torino 30 (2)
2010 → Brescia (loan) 10 (0)
2011 MSV Duisburg 7 (0)
2011–2013 Sturm Graz 27 (2)
2013–2014 Wiener Neustadt 20 (0)
2014–2017 Wacker Innsbruck 79 (5)
Total 313 (18)
International career
2005–2012 Austria 20 (0)
Managerial career
2024– Sturm Graz
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jürgen Säumel (born 8 September 1984) is an Austrian professional football coach and former midfielder.[2]

He began his playing career in the youth system of TSV Neumarkt before progressing through the ranks at SK Sturm Graz, were he became a key first team player and, at the age 20, the club´s youngest captain[3]. Säumel made more than 300 senior club appearances across Austria, Italy and Germany, and earned 20 caps for the Austrian national team, representing his country at UEFA Euro 2008.

After retiring from playing in 2018, he transitioned into coaching and has lately served as head coach of SK Sturm Graz, leading the club to the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2025.[4]

Playing Career

Säumel began his football career in the youth system of the Styrian amateur club TSV Neumarkt before joining the youth academy at SK Sturm Graz in 1999.[5] Progressing rapidly, he was promoted to the amateur team and made his way into the senior squad for the 2002/03 season. In 2003, Säumel was part of the Austrian U-19 team that won a bronze medal at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Liechtenstein and got 51 caps with the Austrian´s youth sides, scoring five goals.[6]

In 2004, at just 20 years old, Säumel became SK Sturm Graz´s youngest captain under coach Mihailo Petrović.[7] His performance earned him a call-up to the senior national team, and the debuted 2005 in a 2-2 draw against Scotland. He was later selected for Austria´s quad at UEFA Euro 2008.

After his contract with Sturm expired in 2008, he signed a three-year deal with Torino FC.[8] Following relegation to Seria B, he lost his regular place and made 30 league appearances, scoring two goals. After tow years, he moved on loan to Brescia Calcio in Serie B, helping the club secure promotion to Serie A, though a permanent transfer could not be agreed.

In January 2011, Säumel joined MSV Duisburg in Germany´s 2. Bundesliga on a six-month contract, making seven appearances before his contract was not renewed.[9] After that he re-signed with SK Sturm Graz on a one-year deal with an option for a furhter year. After leaving Strum in summer 2013, he signed for SC Wiener Neustadt in October 2013[10] before joining FC Wacker Innsbruck in June 2014, where he remained until departing after the 2016/17 season.[11] In May 2018, following a year without a club, Säumel retired from professional football.

International career

Säumel was a member of the Austrian UEFA Euro 2008 squad, making his first appearance of Euro 2008 for the host nation in a 1–0 defeat to Croatia. He was substituted after 61 minutes, being replaced by the veteran Ivica Vastić.[12]

Coaching Career

While still a player in the 2015/16 season, Säumel began his coaching journey as an assistant coach for the U-16 team at FC Wacker Innsbruck. After obtaining his UEFA B Licence and working as a youth coach at his former club TSV Neumarkt, he became assistant coach to Markus Schopp at TSV Hartberg in June 2018.[13] During his tenure, the club achieved a historic first-ever qualification for European competiton by defeating FK Austria Wien in the 2019/20 Bundesliga playoff.[14]

In June 2019, he earned the UEFA A Licence and continued his coaching education. From May 2021 to March 2022, he served as assistant coach to Austrian national team manager Franco Foda and was part of the squad´s staff at UEFA Euro 2020, helping Austria reach the Round of 16 before losing to Italy. [15] [16]

After leaving the national team in summer 2022, Säumel became head coach of Wolfsberger AC´s regional league side and completed his UEFA Pro Licence. In December 2023 he was appointed head coach of Sturm Graz II, tasked with restructuring youth development and giving academy talents more first-time opportunities.

Under his guidance, Sturm Graz II qualified for the UEFA Youth League for the first time in club history including notable victories over Borussia Dortmund to reach the knockout stage.

In November 2024, Säumel was appointed interim head coach of Sturm Graz´s first team following Christian Iilzer´s departure to Germany.[17] His debut saw a record 7-0 league victory over Austria Klagenfurt. After three wins in five matches, he was confirmed as permanent head coach in December 2024. The club embraced a youth-focused approach amid mid-season departure of senior players, and Säumel led Sturm to the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2025.[18]

However, after the team sat third at the halfway point of the 2025/2026 season, Sturm Graz and Säumel parted ways in December 2025. [19]

Honours

As a player

As a manager

  • Austrian Bundesliga champion[24][25]
  • Reached the round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2020 (assistant coach)[26]
  • Qualified for European competition with TSV Hartberg (assistant coach)[27][28]
  • Participated in the UEFA Youth League (2024/2025)

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sturm Graz II 2002–23 Austrian Regionalliga Central 14 0 — — — 14 0
Sturm Graz 2002–03 Austrian Bundesliga 12 0 2 0 1[a] 0 — 15 0
2003–04 Austrian Bundesliga 32 0 4 1 — — 36 1
2004–05 Austrian Bundesliga 36 2 3 0 — — 39 2
2005–06 Austrian Bundesliga 18 1 2 0 4[b] 1 — 24 2
2006–07 Austrian Bundesliga 12 1 — — — 12 1
2007–08 Austrian Bundesliga 30 5 — — — 30 5
Total 140 9 11 1 4 1 — 155 11
Torino 2008–09 Serie A 19 2 2 0 — — 21 2
2009–10 Serie B 11 0 — — — 11 0
Total 30 2 2 0 — — 32 2
Brscia (loan) 2009–10 Serie B 10 0 — — 2[c] 0 12 0
MSV Duisburg 2010–11 2. Bundesliga 7 0 0 0 — — 7 0
Sturm Graz 2011–12 Austrian Bundesliga 15 0 1 0 4[d] 0 — 20 0
2012–13 Austrian Bundesliga 12 2 1 1 — — 13 3
Total 30 3 2 1 4 0 — 36 3
Wacker Innsbruck 2014–15 2. Liga 32 2 2 0 — — 34 2
2015–16 2. Liga 25 1 1 0 — — 26 1
2016–17 2. Liga 22 2 1 0 — — 23 2
Total 79 5 4 0 — — 83 5
Career total 337 21 19 2 9 1 2 0 350 24
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Serie B Play-off
  4. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Austria 2005 2 0
2007 5 0
2008 11 0
2009 1 0
2012 1 0
Total 20 0

Managerial

As of match played 8 February 2026
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
SK Sturm Graz 15 November 2024 22 December 2025 56 27 7 22 84 78 +6 048.21
Total 56 27 7 22 84 78 +6 048.21

References

  1. ^ "Jürgen Säumel". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Jürgen Säumel". UEFA. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Sturm-II-Coach Jürgen Säumel ist 40". SK Sturm (in German). 7 September 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  4. ^ harald.ottawa,alexander.strecha (24 May 2025). "Graz bleibt die Fußball-Hauptstadt: Sturm ist wieder Meister". kurier.at (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Sturm-Trainer Jürgen Säumel: „Es gibt wichtigere Dinge im Leben"". www.kleinezeitung.at (in German). 23 August 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  6. ^ "U19: Großer Erfolg für Österreichs Team". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Jrgen Sumel: In sicheres Fahrwasser mit dem jngsten Kapitn aller Zeiten". www.2liga.at (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Saumel seals Torino switch". Sky Sports. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
  9. ^ "MSV verpflichtet Jürgen Säumel" [MSV signs Jürgen Säumel]. DFL (in German). 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  10. ^ "Wr. Neustadt verpflichtet Ex-Teamspieler Säumel". weltfussball.at (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Säumel wechselt zum FCW – FC Wacker Innsbruck". fc-wacker-innsbruck.at. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  12. ^ "Sturm-II-Coach Jürgen Säumel ist 40". SK Sturm (in German). 7 September 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Ex-Sturm-Kapitän Säumel wird Co-Trainer in Hartberg". www.laola1.at (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  14. ^ jschindl (15 July 2020). "Hartberg mit torlosem Remis gegen die Wiener Austria erstmals im Europacup". vienna.at. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  15. ^ "ÖFB: Neuer Assistenztrainer für Teamchef Foda". sport.ORF.at (in German). 28 April 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  16. ^ wolfgang.winheim (13 June 2021). "ÖFB-Teamchef Franco Foda und die EM: Ein Chef – zwei Gesichter". kurier.at (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  17. ^ Schneider, Albert (17 December 2024). "Säumel wird Cheftrainer beim SK Sturm". Sky Sport Austria (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Sturm-Trainer Jürgen Säumel: „Meister zu werden, ist nicht..." Die Presse (in German). 16 August 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  19. ^ Buchberger, Dominik (22 December 2025). "Offiziell: Sturm Graz trennt sich von Cheftrainer Säumel". Sky Sport Austria (in German). Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  20. ^ "Säumel, Relikt der verlorenen Generation". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  21. ^ "Jürgen Säumel - Manager profile". www.transfermarkt.com. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  22. ^ "spieler euro 2008 und heute". www.laola1.at (in German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Säumels Brescia aufgestiegen". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  24. ^ "Sturms Meistertrainer Säumel: "Bin überglücklich!"". Sky Sport Austria (in German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Sturm-Trainer Jürgen Säumel: „Meister zu werden, ist nicht..." Die Presse (in German). 16 August 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  26. ^ "Jürgen Säumel verlässt den ÖFB". www.puls24.at (in German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Jürgen Säumel wird Co-Trainer in Hartberg". www.90minuten.at (in German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  28. ^ Ringsmuth, Daniel (15 July 2020). "Historisch: TSV Hartberg fixiert erstes Europacup-Ticket der Vereinsgeschichte!". Bundesliga | ligaportal (in German). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
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