After the botched start to the Nations League, the trend should be reversed in the international doubles in Linz on Thursday against Kazakhstan and on Sunday against Norway. “We know that we can perform better than in September,” emphasized ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel. In the first games after the European Championships, the score was 1-1 in Slovenia and 1-2 in Norway.
This year they were very focused on the European Championships in Germany, explained Schöttel. “After such a major event, it is often difficult to carry on in the same way. We are not the only ones to whom this happens,” said the ÖFB sports director. The enthusiasm for Ralf Rangnick’s team should return in Linz. “The greatest leverage is to win the first game and then go confidently into the second,” said Schöttel.
The ÖFB is aware of their role as favorites against the Kazakhs. Schöttel also sees good chances against Erling Haaland and Co. – even if he doesn’t want to be blinded by the world ranking positions (Austria is 22nd, Norway 47th). “Norway should be at every final because of the quality of the individual players,” said the former team player. However, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb are out.
Training in Windischgarsten
The Austrians, who start public training in Windischgarsten on Monday (5 p.m.), are missing three central defenders: David Alaba, Kevin Danso and Maximilian Wöber. Against Kazakhstan, the first thing to do is to beat a team that, according to Schöttel, will be more defensive. “It’s true that we’ve had problems there recently.” He announced a “clear match plan” to counteract this. “It will be important that we follow the style that has made us successful.”
There are also important weeks ahead of the football association outside of sport. ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer is aiming for structural reform, which he could bring to a vote at a presidium meeting on October 18th. According to Schöttel, he is currently not involved in the planning. “Without knowing the details, I generally appreciate everything that accelerates processes and supports contemporary action,” said the Viennese.
New team manager position?
A new position could also be created in the A-Team – a kind of liaison man based on the model of the former team manager Oliver Bierhoff at the DFB. Former national player Sebastian Prödl has recently been mentioned as a candidate several times. “Conversations are constantly taking place to make ourselves even more professional,” emphasized Schöttel. No decision has been made so far. “But it may be that there will still be changes.”
The sports director could lose responsibilities. Does he see added value from the proposed solution? “It depends. There are a lot of different approaches.” According to Schöttel, a reorganization would also have consequences for activities outside of the senior national team. “There are interfaces and different areas of responsibility that you have to look at in great detail. We also take this time.”
Schöttel wants to present a new U21 team boss “in November at the latest”. Werner Gregoritsch’s term of office comes to an end after twelve years. In the next week and a half, the Styrian and his team will be fighting for their second European Championship participation. Wins on Friday (8.30 p.m./live ORF Sport +) in Ried against Slovenia and on Tuesday a week in France would be necessary for this.
If qualification is successful, Gregoritsch would still be in charge of the U21 team at the finals in June 2025 in Slovakia and his successor would only take up the position afterwards. “It’s not that unlikely,” said Schöttel, who believes in a home win against the Slovenians. “Then you have a final game in France. That’s a cut game, anything can happen.”