Wolfgang Bartosch is the new ÖFB interim president

Wolfgang Bartosch is the new ÖFB interim president

Wolfgang Bartosch was elected as the new interim president of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) on Friday evening. This change follows the resignation of Klaus Mitterdorfer on November 21 and passes in a crucial phase for the association, which is faced with several internal disagreements and a tense situation.

The 66-year-old Bartosch, who is currently heading the Styrian State Association, was elected during a meeting of the ÖFB Presidium in Vienna. This decision is particularly noteworthy, since it would have been reserved for one of the four vice presidents of the ÖFB, namely Gerhard Götschhofer, Josef Geisler, Johann Gartner and Philip Thonhauser. However, nobody from this circle was able to win the necessary majority or showed interest in the task.

Change of statutes and quick decision

ÖFB general secretary Thomas Hollerer referred to a paragraph that enables changes to make changes outside the general meeting if there is a risk. The movement changed that a regular member of the presidium can also be considered for the role of the president. The way for Bartosch was free to take over this important office.

Bartosch is no stranger to the association, he has served in the Presidium since 2011 and is known for a level -headed style that differs from the often heated arguments. Now it is up to him to moderate the emerging tensions and defuse conflicts that were created especially around the dismissals of ÖFB managing director Bernhard Neuhold and Hollerer, which were pronounced by the resigned Mitterdorfer.

The challenges for Bartosch

The new interim president faces a variety of challenges. Public differences within the Presidium have burdened the atmosphere in the association. In addition, team boss Ralf Rangnick and his players have spoken out and expressed their support for Neuhold, which the situation continued to complicate. Bartosch has already announced that he will make the role of the President available again after the Annual General Meeting on May 18, 2025, but would like to advance the structural reform initiated by Mitterdorfer.

his ability to navigate in the face of these difficulties and create a harmonious work environment is crucial for the future of the ÖFB. Whether he manages to smooth the waves and develop a clear vision for the association will not only be of great importance for him, but for all Austrian football. Further details on this topic are reported in an article on www.vienna.at