In my opinion, it started when Putzi decided to support Bad Bleiberg 100% and gave up on Salzburg. The few transfers they had did not work out (Bukran,...), now they lose Kitzbichler, who carried the team through the whole season.
The few other good players like Sweczyk, Pfeifenberger and Lässig for example, do not get younger...and no offense to Honduras, but you can´t expect guys like the Suazo bros to take an important role on the field.
Södergard (and Backe) did the best he (they) could, employed the 4-4-2, etc... but with the small budget it´ll be a disastrous season 2002/03, I fear.