Maximilian Senft, head coach of SV Ried, reflects on his journey from poker to football coaching. At 35, he recalls his impressive eleventh place finish at the 2014 World Series of Poker. After stepping away from poker in 2015 to focus on coaching, he has held various roles, culminating in his current position at SV Ried. As the season resumes, he aims to lead his team back to the Bundesliga, expressing confidence in their potential despite challenges.
Maximilian Senft: From Poker to Football Coaching
Maximilian Senft, the head coach of SV Ried, reflects on the previous autumn as he prepares for the upcoming second half of the season. At just 35 years old, this Viennese native has made quite a mark, having notably finished eleventh at the 2014 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.
Insights from the Poker Table
Before diving into the world of football, Senft reminisces about his poker journey. During his amateur football days, he achieved significant success, culminating in a substantial prize of 500,000 euros at the prestigious WSOP, despite not reaching the final table. “That experience was undoubtedly a highlight of my life,” he states. “Looking back, I am more than satisfied with finishing eleventh, especially considering the competition of 6,700 players.”
He elaborates on the reality of winnings in poker: “Not all of the prize money was mine, as it’s common to sell shares among friends. We supported each other during the tournament, which meant that if any of us won, we’d all benefit.”
So, what does it take to participate in the WSOP? “A buy-in of 10,000 dollars is required,” he explains with a chuckle. “I had been playing poker for several years, building my skills both online and in live games. Watching the WSOP on television was thrilling, and being there in person was surreal.”
Despite his success in poker, Senft decided to step away in 2015 as he pursued business studies and traveled extensively. “While it was an incredible experience, I realized that I wanted to focus on my coaching career,” he shares. “Poker is exciting, but sitting at the table for 14 hours straight is quite draining. I fully dedicated myself to coaching youth football after that.”
Today, Senft admits he rarely plays poker, enjoying it only a couple of times a year with friends.
Coaching Journey and Future Aspirations
Transitioning back to football, Senft began his coaching career at the age of 28 in the amateur sector. His journey included assistant coaching roles at Austria Wien and Wolfsberger AC, where he enjoyed memorable moments, especially during their Europa League campaign. “The time at WAC was fantastic, particularly our 4-0 victory in Mönchengladbach. It felt like a dream,” he recalls.
In November 2019, he ventured to England with coach Gerhard Struber to FC Barnsley in the second league. “That experience was invaluable. We managed to stay in the league, but I wanted more than just being a co-coach and video analyst,” he explains. Upon returning to Austria, he took on a coaching role at FC Pinkafeld before receiving an offer to coach the Young Vikings in 2022.
In March 2023, Senft became the head coach of SV Ried, stepping in during challenging times. “Losing Stefan Nutz to injury was incredibly tough for us. One of my most frustrating coaching moments was when we had a goal disallowed against Wattens,” he laments.
As the season progresses, Senft remains optimistic about leading SV Ried back to the Bundesliga. Despite finishing second in the first year of a two-year plan, he believes in the potential of his team. “We encountered some challenges, but I am confident that we can emerge as champions,” he asserts. “Admira Wacker is strong, but I believe we can compete effectively.”
Looking ahead, Senft anticipates that the championship race will come down to the final rounds of the season. “I truly believe it will be decided in the second to last or last match,” he concludes, with determination in his voice.
The second half of the season for SV Ried kicks off on Sunday, February 23, at 10:30 AM in Horn, and all eyes will be on Senft and his team as they aim for victory.