Hans Krankl is celebrating his 70th birthday today, February 14th – which interests others far more than he does himself. “It’s more important to my family or journalists than it is to me. For me it’s a birthday like any other, I’m hanging up Birthdays are not worth much,” said the APA celebrant. No big party is planned, he will celebrate his day of honor in peace with his family, Krankl said. However, the celebrations cannot be avoided entirely.
On February 17, Rapid invites you to the event “70 Years – An Evening for Hans Krankl” at the Allianz Stadium. The event with the birthday child was fully booked within a few minutes, additional tickets had to be issued. The “Rapidler of the Century” has not often been seen in the Hütteldorfer’s new home, because Krankl’s relationship with his heart’s club has been damaged in recent years.
Almost ten years ago, his return to Rapid as vice president seemed a done deal, but then the election committee rejected Krankl’s supporter Erich Kirisits as president. Michael Krammer took over the office, the club icon foamed. In 2019, Krankl spoke out in favor of Roland Schmid as the new club boss, but Martin Bruckner prevailed in the vote.
According to Krankl, he no longer feels the need to work at Rapid. “They didn’t want me twice, so it’s uninteresting for me.” The sporting decisions for the green-whites are currently being made by Steffen Hofmann, Markuskatzer and Zoran Barisic. “I can only wish them the best of luck. We’ll see if they can pull it off,” said the former Rapid coach (1989-1992).
Criticism of green and white
Krankl cannot see the new start at Rapid that has been announced by some quarters. “You said everything would be new, but that didn’t happen. A lot has stayed the same.” The Hütteldorfer’s wait for a title, which has been going on since 2008, is hurting Rapid’s record scorers. “But the people who have been there over the past 15 years have always known everything better. You’ve seen what came out anyway.”
Krankl can no longer hear the constant comments that Red Bull Salzburg cannot be reached due to financial superiority. “There’s always a chance. Of course, Salzburg has the biggest budget and the best team, but in football not everything is won with money. If I’m satisfied with second or third place, I’m the first or second loser,” said Krankl . With this statement, he not only refers to Rapid, but also to all other league clubs, emphasized the ex-goalgetter.
The influence of the organized Rapid fan scene is also viewed critically. “The fans do great things for the game and the team, there is no better audience than the Rapid crowd. Having a say in the club is a different story, it’s probably become too much, but I can’t judge that from the outside,” said ill
The 69-time ÖFB international (34 goals) is also a bit skeptical regarding Austria’s national coach Ralf Rangnick. “It’s no secret that I would have preferred to see Andi Herzog or Peter Stöger as team boss.” According to Krankl, he only wants to assess Rangnick’s work in the summer, following a year in office.
The prerequisites for a successful era of German are good. “We have 35 legionnaires, some of whom are very prominent clubs, and a lot of top-class players. You can expect a lot from this national team.” Under Krankl’s reign from 2002 to 2005, the quality of the ÖFB selection was at a significantly lower level. “I sometimes think that if I had had a squad like we have today, that would have been something. But it just wasn’t like that.”
“Cordoba is football history”
As a player, Krankl was much more successful with the national team than when he was a coach – his two goals in the 3-2 win once morest Germany at the 1978 World Cup in Cordoba, along with Edi Finger’s “I’ll be foolish!” became legendary. “It’s not old hat. When I’m 100 years old, they’ll still be talking regarding Cordoba because it’s part of Austrian football history. It’ll never be boring, it will always be,” explained Krankl.
Cordoba was by no means the only success in the Viennese’s career. With Rapid he became champion twice (1982, 1983), four times cup winner (1976, 1983, 1984, 1985) and came in 1985 in the cup winner competition in the European Cup final (1:3 once morest Everton, Ehrentor Krankl). With FC Barcelona he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979, and he also scored a goal in the final once morest Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Krankl has been a big fan of the big Catalan club ever since, and the former top scorer is particularly taken with its former star Lionel Messi. “I was delighted to win his World Cup. I love him, got to know him when he was 20. He’s the best player ever and a decent humble guy.” Krankl also has a high opinion of Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo. “Ronaldo is second best of all time but Messi is unmatched.”
Krankl analyzes top-flight European football as well as domestic kicks as an expert on the pay-TV channel Sky, which is broadcasting a documentary on February 14 (7:15 p.m.) on the occasion of his 70th birthday entitled “I am Hans Krankl”. The jubilee can be seen in his “second home” Jesolo and in Vienna-Mariahilf, where he began to play ballet.
Excerpts from a concert by the former striker with the band “Monti Beton”, with which Krankl is often on stage, are also broadcast. “I really enjoy these performances and people like it.” The next gig is on February 18th, one day following the party in the Allianz Stadium, in the Portofino Vienna in Vienna-Simmering.(apa)
