Josef Pröll: New hope for the ÖFB according to internal conflicts!

Josef Pröll: New hope for the ÖFB according to internal conflicts!

Bregenz, Österreich - Josef Pröll was officially elected as the new President of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) in the last meeting of the election committee. This decision was announced on April 9th. Pröll prevailed against the favorite Christian Jauk and received the majority of the voices. He is the first association boss since Friedrich Stickler (2002-2008), which does not move out of the Presidium and comes at a time when the association has to deal with internal conflicts.

In recent years there have been numerous public disputes that have miscredit the ÖFB. Pröll sees it as his task to achieve calm and unity in the disputed association. The management of the association is currently temporarily in the hands of Wolfgang Bartosch, who took over after Klaus Mitterdorfer's resignation in November 2022. The official enthronement of Josef Pröll will take place on May 18 at the Federal General Meeting in Bregenz.

causes of the conflicts

The tensions within the ÖFB are not only historical, but also affect the current management level, in particular the relationship between managing director Bernhard Neuhold and Secretary General Thomas Hollerer. In addition, there is a need to find a new CEO and to satisfy team boss Ralf Rangnick. These internal power games and personal inadequacies led to a high fluctuation on the presidential post, without previously establishing a stable leadership.

Pröll also has an interesting background: He is the general director of the Leipnik-Lundenburger Group, which belongs to the Raiffeisen-Holding Lower Austria. This could give him access to valuable resources and networking to advance the desired changes in the association.

elections and bodies in the ÖFB

At the election in the election committee, a total of ten members had voting rights, including nine from the state associations and one from the Bundesliga. At the meeting, Pröll received six votes, while Jauk received four votes, and some members abstained. At the upcoming Federal General Meeting, 13 votes are expected to be given, all the signs indicate that Pröll will receive full support.

This support is particularly important to overcome the difficulties of the association that result from internal conflicts. Sports promotion in Austria is also supported by various state institutions and non-state organizations. The ÖFB falls under the responsibility of these institutions, all of which aim to further develop sport in Austria. The challenges that Josef Pröll expect are not only internal nature, but can also affect the strategic direction of all football in the country.

In this context, discussions about the restructuring of the regional leaves will also take place at the weekend in Bregenz, which will have a significant impact on the development of Austrian football. The next steps under Pröll's management are of great importance for the future of the ÖFB.

Overall, Pröll's choice heralds a new section in the history of the association, which has set itself up to be strengthened and united from the conflicts. The coming months will show whether he can cope with this difficult task.

For more information, please visit the articles on OE24 , krone and Sport Austria .