Wolfgang Bartosch: New face at the top of the Austrian Football Association

Wolfgang Bartosch: New face at the top of the Austrian Football Association

After an intensive meeting of the ÖFB Presidium, Wolfgang Bartosch took over the Interim Presidium of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) on Friday. In an interview with the APA, the 66-year-old lawyer from Styria commented on the challenges that accompany his term in office and spoke about the upcoming reforms and his vision for the future of the association.

Bartosch faces a complex location: The Tyrolean head of state Josef Geisler refers to an expert opinion that could possibly contest his election. Upper Austria, Gerhard Götschhofer, has also announced legal steps. However, Bartosch is optimistic and emphasized that he does not want to be discouraged by the criticism. "I look at Götschhofer's announced complaint calmly," said Bartosch and added: "The question arises whether one who receives three out of twelve votes that has legitimation to be president."

strategic goals and schedules

A central concern of Bartosch is the implementation of a structural reform in the ÖFB. "The biggest goal is to fix this reform," he said. In the best case, the reform should be completed by the end of January 2024, followed by the search for a new CEO that is to begin at the latest for the Annual General Meeting on May 18 in Bregenz.

With regard to the selection of the new CEO, Bartosch expressed: "I will be involved in the presidential search in whatever form. I see my function as a switch." It is important to carefully develop the requirement profile for the CEO in order to make a well -founded decision without rushing things.

Currently, the operational bosses of the ÖFB, Managing Director Bernhard Neuhold and Secretary General Thomas Hollerer, are officially terminated, but regularly continue their work due to the notice periods. Bartosch initially does not want to make any changes here: "If there is a breach of trust, I will put them off on duty. Otherwise, both will be on duty by the end of May."

In terms of team boss Ralf Rangnick, who recently supported Neuhold, Bartosch noted: "You have to bring the discussion away from people as possible." The optimal support of the national team must be in the foreground. Even if Rangnick and the team players have expressed their concerns, this should be regulated internally and without public drama. "Ultimately, everyone has to fulfill their role in the context of their skills," added Bartosch.

When asked whether there will be discussions about an adjustment of Rangnick's contract, Bartosch replied: "I am currently seeing no reason to change his current contract." The aim is to develop a trusting relationship between him and the team boss.

For Bartosch, it is clear that clear communication and close cooperation within the ÖFB are of the utmost importance. Despite the internal opponents and challenges, he is determined to continue his way as an interim president and to initiate the necessary reforms. Strong support from the ranks of his presidium gives him the necessary trust in order to implement these relevant changes. Further information on the topics and developments can be found