Andreas Heraf becomes coach of SV Gmundner Milch: A new beginning in the 5th league!

Andreas Heraf becomes coach of SV Gmundner Milch: A new beginning in the 5th league!

Andreas Heraf, an experienced football coach and former player, will be in charge of SV Gmundner Milch in the Upper Austrian Regional League West from summer onwards. The 57-year-old, who was born in Vienna, will take over the team after their relegation from the Upper Austrian league. Loud crown Heraf is considered overqualified for the 5th league, which raises expectations for his future work with the team.

Heraf's sporting career is not only successful, but also very varied. He celebrated three championship titles and two cup victories with Rapid Vienna and reached the European Cup final in 1996. His career also took him to clubs such as FC Kärnten, Salzburg and Hannover. He also made a name for himself internationally by playing eleven games for the Austrian national team League portal reported.

The change of coach and the expectations

With the start of summer preparation, Heraf will take over responsibility for the team. SV Gmundner Milch has already announced that it will drop into the fifth division. President Gerhard Riedl expressed optimism about the commitment: “We see Heraf as an expert with great know-how who can give the club new impetus,” said Riedl. Sports director Christoph Brummayer began discussions with Heraf three weeks ago and emphasized both his human nature and his commitment to the club.

Particularly noteworthy is Heraf's extensive knowledge of the SV Gmundner Milch players, especially the talents who offer promising prospects. With this expertise, he wants to lead the team back to the successes they previously enjoyed.

Heraf's coaching career in context

Heraf's past as a player and coach is evidence of the development of Austrian football. Austria has produced many coaches who have received both national and international recognition, such as legends Hugo Meisl and Ernst Happel. Meisl was an early advocate for the professionalization of football in Austria and was instrumental in founding a professional league. Happel, who led the Dutch national team to runners-up in the World Cup, is also unforgettable. Today's coaches like Heraf follow this tradition; Austrian coaches have gained in reputation in the Bundesliga since 2016, despite the dominance of foreign coaches in the domestic league, as described in the blog Austrian Soccer Board is explained.

With his return to the coaching bench at SV Gmundner Milch, Andreas Heraf not only wants to revive his own career, but also get the team back on the right track - an ambitious goal that could seem quite feasible given his experience.