2023-07-24 03:12:15
Austria’s Bundesliga coaches praise the development of the league, but also find points of criticism before the start of the 50th season. In some places, in particular, there is still a need to catch up when it comes to infrastructure, and some coaches are suggesting changes to the mode. A wish from Ralf Rangnick is rejected by the majority.
“The Bundesliga has developed well, is also recognized internationally and has become a stepping stone to bigger leagues for many players,” explained Peter Pacult. The 63-year-old Austria Klagenfurt coach has known the Bundesliga for decades and was in good company with his findings in an APA survey before the start of the season.
Matthias Jaissle, for example, made a similar statement. “My impression is that Austrian football has developed very well recently – on many levels.” Salzburg’s coach led to the fixed place in the Champions League for the Austrian champions, the level in the master group last or the increasing number of spectators. “If you can confirm this development and maybe even take it a little further, then you certainly don’t have to worry about the Bundesliga.”
According to the latest figures, the fact that fans are increasingly pouring into the stadiums is, for Austria’s sports director Manuel Ortlechner, “actually the most important indicator of whether the Bundesliga is attractive and shows that things are going in the right direction.” Joachim Standfest stated: “I’m convinced that the league offers a great stage for young players in particular and that the clubs from the top leagues don’t send their scouts to Austria every week for nothing,” said Altach’s neo-coach.
The path is also right for Sturm Graz coach Christian Ilzer, Rapids Zoran Barisic even rates the development of Austrian club football as “extremely positive”. In a Europe-wide comparison, with the exception of Salzburg, the clubs work with modest financial means, according to Barisic. On the other hand, there is a mostly good European Cup performance.
“If you look at the international standing of our clubs, the Bundesliga has developed well,” said Thomas Sageder from LASK. Pacult also put his finger in many a wound. “It would be nice if other clubs besides Salzburg showed up in the European Cup.” Thomas Silberberger has a pious wish in view of the Salzburg championship subscription: “In a few years the density of top clubs in Austria should be higher so that the championship race is exciting every year,” said the long-term supervisor of the WSG Tirol.
In addition to a lot of light, there are also shadows. “In terms of infrastructure, there is still a need to catch up in some places – but according to reports, intensive work is already being done on this,” said Sageder, for example with a view to the construction site in Lustenau or stadium plans in Hartberg. “Better infrastructure and better general conditions can make the location even more attractive and interesting,” said Markus Schopp, who is certainly representative of others.
The increase in the league recently suggested by Ralf Rangnick is met with little approval by the majority. “The current model has proven itself,” said LASK man Sageder on behalf of six colleagues who expressed similar views. For Ortlechner, an increase would not least be “an infrastructural issue”, while Pacult expressed economic concerns. According to the Klagenfurt coach, there is already very little left of the television money for each of the twelve clubs.
Among other things, Rangnick recently said in the “Kurier” that more young players could be used in a larger league. “With 16 instead of twelve clubs, there would be four times 25, i.e. 100 more places for players who now have to play in the second division.”
Manfred Schmid can understand the execution of the ÖFB team boss. “I am 100 percent of the opinion that an increase would be better for Austrian football and would have a positive impact on youth development,” said the WAC coach as one of only two clear supporters. The other is called Markus Schopp. “Personally, I would consider that exciting and interesting,” said the Hartberg coach.
There is a 16-league in the Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria and Serbia. In Greece there are 14 first division teams, in Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Scotland and Hungary 12 as in Austria. Like the Bundesliga before the 2018/19 mode change, Switzerland and Ireland have a league of 10.
“It is important that the Bundesliga is a high-quality product. Others will have to judge whether that would be the case with a larger league,” emphasized Standfest. Silberberger, however, called for a change of mode. Lustenaus Mader said the division of points could be discussed.
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