Rapid bow to the greater good

Decision announced
The coach announced his intention to take up the post left vacant by the departure of Hans Krankl as Austria prepare to co-host UEFA EURO 2008™ with neighbours Switzerland. All that remains is for the club to agree on the date of Hickersberger's departure.

Major blow
For Rapid, the prospective loss of the coach who led them to the title last season will be a major blow. Rapid midfielder, and Austria captain, Andreas Ivanschitz said: "It is the best thing for the national team if Hickersberger takes charge but it is not good for Rapid to lose the coach in our current situation."

Unsatisfactory form
As they prepare to take on fellow Group A strugglers Club Brugge KV tonight, Rapid's situation is indeed a tricky one. Still without a UEFA Champions League point, they are sixth in the Austrian table having picked up just one win in their last nine league games.

Media speculation
Some have blamed the speculation over Hickersberger's future for the team's displays, but captain Steffen Hofmann disagreed, saying: "All the discussions about Hickersberger and his move to the Austria job are no excuse for our bad performances at the moment. We are professionals and we must accept this."

Professional attitude
Rapid goalkeeper Helge Payer, who is also likely to be Hickersberger's number one for Austria, added: "We have to accept his decision because it is a big honour to coach the national team. We are professional enough to understand this. Our bad performances at the moment have nothing to do with this deal."

Wednesday talks
With Hickersberger seen as the leading candidate for the Austrian post, all that remains is for Rapid club president Rudolf Edlinger to agree a date for the coach to change jobs. Edlinger will meet Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) president Friedrich Stickler as they attempt to negotiate a severance deal.

Dual role
Edlinger, of course, is keen for the coach to stay in his current role until next summer but Stickler wants him to quit in January. Hickersberger, meanwhile, has all but vetoed the idea of doing both jobs in tandem. "I don't think that a dual role is what Austria needs," he said. "It wouldn't work in our country."

Final days
In the meantime, Rapid must do their best to keep their spirits up and enjoy what remains of Hickersberger's tenure. A win tonight would keep their hopes of a long European campaign this season alive, although Hickersberger might be long gone by the start of any putative spring offensive in 2006.