Josef Pröll: New ÖFB President with great challenges!

Josef Pröll: New ÖFB President with great challenges!

Seestadt Aspern, Wien, Österreich - Josef Pröll was elected today as the new president of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). His choice is made at a time that is characterized by several challenges that its predecessors could not solve. In interviews with the APA and in ZIB2, Pröll emphasized that calm in the association is necessary to create optimal conditions for the World Cup qualification. This is particularly important against the background of internal tensions in the association.

Before the election, there were reports on possible illegal corona grants that affect the ÖFB, which represents additional challenges for the new president. Despite these difficulties, Pröll said that Ralf Rangnick is the right coach for the national team, although there is doubts about the support of his philosophy within the Presidium. Johann Gartner in particular has criticized Rangnick in the past, which further complicates internal dynamics.

internal conflicts and sporting challenges

The reviews of Rangnick are not only motivated by sporting setbacks, but also by budget questions that repeatedly represent a recurring problem in the ÖFB. There are also conflicts between the managing directors Thomas Hollerer and Bernhard Neuhold, who also put a strain on the work of the association.

The Austrian Football Association has a long history that goes back to 1894 when the first official football game took place in Austria. In 1897 the first competition, the Challenge Cup, was held before the Austrian Football Union was founded in 1900. This organization finally developed into today's ÖFB, which today plays a central role in Austrian football.

The history of the ÖFB at a glance

The roots of the ÖFB go back to the event of the Comité for the event of football betting games in 1899. The association was officially founded in 1904 and joined FIFA. In the following decades, Austrian football experienced a heyday, especially under the direction of Hugo Meisl, when the national team became known as a "miracle team".

The most important milestones in the history of the association include:

With the choice of Josef Pröll, the ÖFB is at a decisive point. The challenges that are in front of him not only require sporting skills, but also skillful diplomacy to solve internal conflicts and set the course for a successful future of Austrian football.

For more details about the challenges that lie in front of Pröll, and the history of the ÖFB, see 90 minutes and and [Wikipedia] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96 ÖLTERISCHEN_FU%C3%9Fball-bund).