Maximilian Wöber vented his anger within the team before the final Nations League games on Thursday in Kazakhstan and on Sunday in Vienna against Slovenia. Team boss Ralf Rangnick and the players’ council had written a letter before the most recent executive committee meeting in favor of Neuhold’s whereabouts, but their wishes were not granted. This caused resentment. “Bernhard was an important contact person for us, who was always extremely professional in terms of work, always made sure that we players were doing as well as possible and, as a guy, also fit perfectly into the big picture. That’s why we want to continue working with him,” said the Leeds professional.
The letter from Rangnick and David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer was not well received by large parts of the executive committee. Wöber has little understanding of this. “We all have the same opinion, you can accept it sometimes, even if it comes from a footballer.” The national team consists of experienced and mature players, explained the central defender. “Sometimes there may still be the image of the footballer who can run for 90 minutes and kick a bit, but I think that has changed now. There are a lot of eloquent players in our team who do a few other things besides football. I think we can afford to intervene in one way or another,” said Wöber. “We’ve all been there for a few years and can form an opinion. You can then simply consider them and accept them openly. They’ll have to see what they do with it anyway.”
Alaba traveled to talks
After the team meeting, there was a discussion on this matter with ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer, for which David Alaba, who is in advanced training, also traveled from Madrid. “He is our mouthpiece on important matters, knows the people involved in the ÖFB forever and best and can best represent our opinions,” said Wöber about the Real Madrid professional.
Wöber himself has had six weeks of training and two weeks on the pitch after knee surgery. “It was a really bad start to the comeback at Leeds,” said the 26-year-old, who was on loan at Mönchengladbach last season. That’s why he only played two competitive games this season: for Leeds in the League Cup against Middlesbrough (0:3) and for Austria in the Nations League in Slovenia (1:1). Because Leeds currently climbed to third place in the English second division thanks to a successful run, Wöber has to wait for appearances. “There is no reason to change anything. I have to be patient and work hard.” He also has his sights set on promotion with the ÖFB team. Wöber: “We have created a great starting position. Now the clear goal is to win both games and get promoted to the A-League.”
Chance for pot 1 in the World Cup qualification
The calculation is clear for Austria’s national team before the last two Nations League games: If you win against Slovenia in Kazakhstan on Thursday and against Slovenia in Vienna on Sunday, you will finish first in the group and thus be promoted to the top league. However, the outcome of these games has no influence on a decision: in order to be drawn from pot one in the World Cup qualification draw, Austria needs help.
The first pot includes the eight Nations League quarter-finalists and the four best-placed European teams in the FIFA rankings that are not among the Nations League top 8. Austria will be Europe’s 12th best team in the world rankings that will determine the draw, which will be published on November 28th. Therefore, the ÖFB team will be drawn from pot one, provided that no team placed behind it in the world rankings finishes a League A group in the top two and thus reaches the Nations League quarter-finals. There is a danger here with two rounds to go in three of the four pools: If Poland gains more than three points on Croatia (Group A1), Hungary gets more points than the Netherlands (A3) or Serbia overtakes the Danes, who are three points ahead (A4), that would be the case Pot one lost for Austria.
A total of twelve groups will be drawn in Zurich on December 13th. Only the first in each category have secured their ticket for the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
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**Interview with Maximilian Wöber: Team Dynamics and Ambitions Ahead of Crucial Nations League Matches**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Maximilian. It’s an important time for the Austrian national team with the Nations League games approaching. Recently, there was some tension regarding Bernhard Neuhold’s situation. Can you share your thoughts on why he is such a vital part of the team?
**Maximilian Wöber:** Absolutely, thank you for having me. Bernhard has been a crucial contact for us; he’s always provided professional support and made sure we were in the best position possible. Losing someone with his approach affects not just our performance, but also the team spirit. We feel it’s important to continue working with him.
**Editor:** You mentioned a letter from Ralf Rangnick and key players advocating for Bernhard. How did the executive committee respond, and what do you make of their reaction?
**Maximilian Wöber:** The reaction wasn’t quite what we expected. We felt like our voices, coming from experienced players, should hold weight. It’s surprising to see some resistance considering our maturity and insights beyond just playing football. We’ve invested years into our roles, and I think it’s fair for us to express our views openly.
**Editor:** It sounds like you and the team are striving for more than just performance. David Alaba even travelled to discuss these issues with officials. How does his presence impact the team’s voice?
**Maximilian Wöber:** David is our go-to guy for these matters. His experience and long-standing relationships with the ÖFB’s leadership make him the perfect representative for us. He knows how to navigate these discussions effectively, given his stature in the team and his past experiences.
**Editor:** On a personal note, you’ve recently returned from a significant knee surgery. How has that affected your playing time with Leeds and the national team?
**Maximilian Wöber:** It’s been a challenging journey. I’ve been back on the pitch for about two weeks after a rough start, which has limited my appearances this season. Leeds is doing well, so I have to be patient and focus on my training. I’m eager to contribute both to my club and the national team.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, you’ve mentioned the group goals for the upcoming matches. What’s at stake for Austria in these Nations League games?
**Maximilian Wöber:** Winning both games is essential for us—we aim to finish first in the group for promotion to the top league. It sets a strong precedent not only for upcoming tournaments but also for the World Cup qualification draw. We want to secure a spot in pot one, which significantly influences our chances moving forward.
**Editor:** The stakes are quite high. With everything on the table, what’s your mindset as the matches approach?
**Maximilian Wöber:** We’re focused and motivated. The team has built a solid foundation, and we recognize the importance of these games. Our goal is clear: to win and to build on our potential to reach greater heights in international football.
**Editor:** Thank you, Maximilian. Your insights shed light on the team’s aspirations and the dynamics at play. Best of luck in the upcoming matches!
**Maximilian Wöber:** Thank you! We’re excited and ready to give our all.