Future to the ÖFB in the crisis: Mitterdorfer resigns-what now?

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Nach dem überraschenden Rücktritt von Klaus Mitterdorfer im ÖFB mehren sich die Rufe nach einem externen „Macher“. Die Suche nach einer neuen, kompetenten Führung wird zunehmend dringlicher.
After the surprising resignation of Klaus Mitterdorfer in the ÖFB, the calls are increasing for an external “maker”. The search for a new, competent leadership is becoming increasingly urgent. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

On Thursday evening, Klaus Mitterdorfer made a special turn in the history of the Austrian Football Association: he resigned one day before a meeting of the Presidium. The resignation happened against the background that he found no majority for his planned changes. Mitterdorfer was only in office since August 2023 and inherited Josef Gartner, who was at the top. The resignation is noteworthy, since it has never happened before in the history of the ÖFB that a president resigns from his position at short notice.

One of the central challenges that Mitterdorfer faced was the lack of trust within the Presidium. He found that the support for a new full -time tour he wanted to start had decreased noticeably in the past few days. His suggestions, especially for the position of the CEO, met with resistance. The proposed candidate, Silvia Kaupa-Götzl, could not receive the necessary votes in the Presidium. According to the statutes of the ÖFB, this position does not yet exist, which created additional confusion.

criticism and personal defamation

Mitterdorfer made it clear in his declaration of withdrawal that, despite his efforts to act constructively, he was increasingly in a difficult position. "I always tried to see the big picture and to be connecting, but I couldn't do that anymore," he said. He also complained about personal defamation, which heavily burdened him in front of and behind the scenes. His resignation was the highlight of a continuous conflict that had been emerging for months.

It is particularly striking that Mitterdorfer from a letter he wrote over a year ago and who pointed out differences between the Secretary General and the Managing Director did not lead to any consequences. When this letter became public, this seemed to be the starting point for the serious problems that ultimately led to his resignation. The ÖFB is now heading for an uncertain future, with an interim successor from the ranks of the Vice Presidents and the need to found an election committee.

parallel to Mitterdorfer's resignation, Burgenland's state president Georg Pangl, who has only been in office since March, also announced his resignation for personal reasons. Pangl had apparently shown great interest in the CEO position, which was withheld from him. The circumstances of his decision and closeness to prevailing conflicts make the resignation even more in need of explanation.

The calls for an "external maker" who is supposed to herald a fresh start in the ÖFB are not new and are now increasing. However, it remains unclear what suitable personality is willing to go into such a turbulent environment. Mitterdorfer leaves a picture of the pile of broken glass after his short term. His legacy will probably always be connected to the construction of the campus in Aspern, a project that he launched during his tenure.

The next steps in the ÖFB will be decisive. An election committee must be set up promptly to set the course for the future leadership, and an extraordinary general assembly is planned for spring. The remaining members of the Presidium are faced with the challenge of making a fresh start from the current crisis to restore trust and stability within the ÖFB. How things go on and what decisions will be made remains to be seen, .