The era will end either after this year’s European Championship qualification or, if successful, after the 2025 European Championship finals. “It’s important that you know when enough is enough. It’s enough now. Trapattoni would say: I’m finished,” said Gregoritsch.
Succession not yet determined
ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel explained that the decision had been made by all parties for a year and a half. A successor for the 66-year-old Styrian has not yet been determined. Schöttel denied media reports that A-team boss Ralf Rangnick was the driving force behind the transfer. “Reports that Ralf Rangnick had anything to do with it are simply not true.” The current prospective player training course for the greatest ÖFB talents in Enzesfeld-Lindabrunn is the right stage to announce the departure.
Signs of wear and tear as a reason
Gregoritsch described reports about Rangnick’s influence as “completely out of place” and emphasized the trusting cooperation with the German football coach. He cited signs of wear and tear as the reason for his “football retirement.” “A lot of energy and strength has been spent in recent years,” said the Styrian. He talked about setbacks and misfortunes such as a heart attack on the tennis court in 2020 and a corona infection. “I’m glad that I’m sitting here healthy today.”
Gregoritsch has been in charge of the U21 team since February 2012. In 111 games so far, the various selections have collected an average of 1.91 points. There was no resounding success on a larger stage, and under Gregoritsch the ÖFB juniors missed five of six European Championship finals. Qualifying for the 2019 finals was a first, but they finished with four points after the group stage.
“Collected a lot of relationships”
The current European Championship qualification is still bothering Gregoritsch. As third – four points behind leaders Slovenia – the chances of participating in the European Championship are slim before the final three matches. The ÖFB team stumbled twice, drawing against the last-placed team from Cyprus. Gregoritsch was optimistic. “There is a small chance.” He was always the team leader with heart and soul. “I didn’t win many titles with this team, but I did win a lot of relationships.” He helped train or was able to train 54 players who would later play in the senior team, Gregoritsch explained proudly.
