Peter Stöger: New hope for Rapid Vienna after tumultic times!

Peter Stöger: New hope for Rapid Vienna after tumultic times!

Hütteldorf, Österreich - On June 2, 2025, Rapid Vienna known as the new trainer. The 59-year-old Viennese will lead the team in the next two seasons of the Bundesliga. In the past, Stöger was already a player at Rapid and was able to win the championship in the 1995/96 season. He took up the position of Robert Klauß, whose departure was decided due to the weaker performance of the team.

Stöger took over the management of Rapid after giving up his role as sports director at the second division club Admira Wacker. In his career so far, he led Wiener Austria to the championship in the 2012/13 season. In addition, he led the 1st FC Köln to the Bundesliga and the European Cup. Most recently, he worked in Ferencváros in Budapest in 2021.

emotional return and goals

At his presentation on Monday, Stöger was calm and relaxed, even if he reacted emotionally to Ercan Kara's head gate in the Champions League final. A farewell gift from Sky, consisting of green and white valerian drops, illustrated support for the new trainer. Stöger emphasized that the success of the interim coach Stefan Kulovit was 99 percent the player and he is entitled to, which underlines his modesty.

Stöger has great ambitions for the coming seasons. He strives to have sold out every home game, as he previously achieved this in Cologne and Dortmund. He has a four -week preparation time until the start of the qualification, which he assesses as sufficient. His first competitive game as a coach will take place on July 20 against Union Berlin.

Personnel questions and challenges

For Stöger and sports director Markus Katzer, the focus is on personnel issues, especially on the offensive. Niklas Hedl, who, despite a contract until 2027, is leaving Hütteldorf is a hot topic. Hedl's consultant has already confirmed inquiries from abroad, including from England. Thomas Saggeder is the only new employee in the coaching team, all other members remain unchanged.

The decision for Stöger was made internally, as President Alexander Wrabetz emphasized. Steffen Hofmann, Managing Director of Rapid Vienna, also joyfully commented on Stöger's return, which could initiate a new era for the club. In a week, Stöger will make detailed comments on his vision for Rapid Vienna at a press conference.

With a rich experience both as a player and as a trainer, Peter Stöger has accepted the great challenge of leading Rapid Vienna into a successful future, and fans and players can be excited about the coming months.