Kalajdzic: "The complete package at LASK was the best fit"

"I know what I have here"

"The question was, what is most important for my current development - stability and consistency. Of all the options I could have taken, LASK offered the best overall package because I know what I have here," said Kalajdzic at his introductory press conference in Linz.

He emphasized: "I am fully committed to LASK."

He sees the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time in his career as "more of a bonus. That wasn't the decisive factor, but definitely a plus point."

Er hat gesagt, dass ihm die Idee gefällt.

Sasa Kalajdzic über Ralf Rangnick:

Kalajdzic's return to Linz was also recommended by ÖFB national team coach Ralf Rangnick: "He said he liked the idea. Especially due to the fact that 'Didi' (Kühbauer, editor's note) extended his contract here. That confirmed my good feeling."

Coach Kühbauer was another decisive factor in favour of LASK. "He knows how to handle me, and that he can also criticize me."

Kühbauer's Promise

The Burgenlander announced just a few weeks ago that he would carry Kalajdzic through Linz should he return. How's that looking?

"I already talked to him about it. What he said, I probably shouldn't quote. But I think we have to make up for that and film it, because we won't see something like that again anytime soon. 'Didi' is a man of his word, let's see how we do it," Kalajdzic laughed.

"The last thing I need is to play with stress"

In LASK's rescheduled ADMIRAL Bundesliga match on Tuesday against WAC, the 29-year-old was not yet in the squad after consultation with the medical department: "The last few weeks have been very stressful mentally. The last thing I need is to play with stress."

However, he could get his first minutes on the pitch as early as next Saturday, in the ÖFB Cup clash in Deutschlandsberg.