Hickersberger threatens to resign: ÖFB in the mood of crisis!

Hickersberger threatens to resign: ÖFB in the mood of crisis!

Amstetten, Österreich - The pressure on the Austrian football coach Josef Hickersberger grows. Today he announced that he would resign if he is not released by the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). He expressed the desire not to be confronted with questions about his resignation after every game. His decision follows a disappointing phase in which the team in an important game against the USSR on October 19, 1988 failed with a 0-2, although the team was still 0-0 in Kiev at halftime. Despite the negative result, this was seen as a moral victory for the ÖFB team.

Two weeks after this lost game, Austria achieved a remarkable victory against another team, in which Andi Herzog scored two goals and Toni Polster. This was particularly noteworthy, as the upholstery had previously remained in the national team for a long time without goals. ÖFB President Mauhart criticized the almost playful lead after the game and at the same time ended Hickersberger's idea.

Josef Hickersberger - player and trainer

Josef Hickersberger, born on April 27, 1948 in Amstetten, first entered the soccer room as a player, where he was active for various clubs, including FK Austria Vienna and Fortuna Düsseldorf, until his end of his career in 1982. His time in the national team from 1968 to 1978 included 39 missions, including the memorable 3-2 victory against Germany at the 1978 World Cup, one of the highlights of his career as a player.

His coaching career led him through various leagues and teams. From 1987 to 1990, Hickersberger was team leader of the Austrian national team and had a second term from 2006 to 2008. Between these terms, he coached numerous clubs, including SK Rapid Vienna and Fortuna Düsseldorf, and was also active in Arab leagues. Among his successes, the profit of the ÖFB Cup and the Austrian Championship with Rapid Vienna in 2005

The context of the Austrian national team

The Austrian national soccer team looks back on an eventful history. Her first officially recognized international match took place in 1902 against Hungary, which she won 5-0. Over the years, the national team celebrated numerous successes, such as third place at the 1954 World Cup and the "Miracle of Córdoba" in 1978. Nevertheless, the time before was not innocent in the development of football in Austria; The connection to the German Reich in 1938 led to the dissolution of the ÖFB and thus also the national team.

The national team was founded again after the Second World War, but since then it has had to accept some setbacks in terms of qualification for important tournaments. The European Championship 2008 took place as a host in Austria, but a breakthrough has not been achieved since then, the last participation in the World Cup was in France in 1998, where Austria failed in the preliminary round.

The challenge that Hickersberger is now opposite is not only a question of personal commitment, but also a symbolic reflection of the history of Austrian football. Will he be able to get the team back on track?