ÖFB reform: Neuhold and Hollerer have to go after restructuring

Von WOM

The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has decided in a significant meeting important changes that have short-term effects on the internal structure of the association. A crucial decision was the dismissal of managing director Bernhard Neuhold and ÖFB general secretary Thomas Hollerer , both of whom difficult in the past with their different views on the working method of the association. However, President Klaus Mitterdorfer is optimistic and sees the reorganization as a necessary step towards more professional and more efficient structures.

Mitterdorfer explained that the new structures provide for a clearer separation of management to the areas of sport, business and a superordinate CEO. "The main office is strengthened," he assured after the meeting, which was accompanied by an overwhelming majority decision by the Presidium members. Ten members agreed to the reform while there was only one vote against.

important changes in the board structure

However, the structural reform requires a change in the articles of association that is planned at the general meeting. This takes place on May 18, 2025 in Bregenz, where the election of the new ÖFB president is also due. The question of whether Mitterdorfer will be a candidate again remains open. A first central innovation will be that the post of sports director is handed over to the current sports director Peter Schöttel .

The dismissal of Neuhold is particularly controversial, which also met with incomprehension among the national team players. Team boss Ralf Rangnick and prominent players such as David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic had previously called for the retention to be retained in a letter to the Presidium. They praised his irreplaceable contribution to their success and support in the Euro 2024, as well as his role as a direct contact in organizational matters.

The persistent tensions between Neuhold and Hollerer have significantly impaired working in the ÖFB and Mitterdorfer should now clarify these conflicts. "Teamwork was not given," he emphasized, taking responsibility for the necessary discussions with the two ex-managers. Despite the separation, both seem to be ready to stay within the ÖFB in a different function.

The continuation of these changes will also depend on how quickly the vacant items can be filled. The current favorite for the CEO post is Christian Ebenbauer , the current CEO of the Bundesliga. Mitterdorfer sees himself in a positive exchange with even builder and emphasizes that many decisions should be made soon to be able to act in action before the upcoming Congress in Bregenz.

The upcoming changes and the associated personnel questions raise significant questions, both with regard to the internal dynamics in the association and in relation to the goals that Austrian footballers have set for the coming years.