Herzog bowing out at Rapid

Veteran Austrian international Andreas Herzog is to leave SK Rapid Wien at the end of the season, together with René Wagner and Jacob Laursen.

Long career
Midfield player Herzog, capped over 100 times for Austria, has had a disappointing spell with Rapid since returning to his first club from German side SV Werder Bremen. Herzog, who first played for Rapid in the late 1980s before spells with Bremen and FC Bayern München, has decided not to renew his contract which runs out this summer.

'He has done a lot'
Rapid coach Josef Hickersberger, whose side currently lie sixth in the Austrian Bundesliga, said: "Andi Herzog has told us that he will not use the option to extend his contract and these days this cannot be taken for granted. He has done a lot to help the club."

'An idol'
However, the coach hinted that he wanted Herzog to remain at the club in some capacity. "Herzog is a showpiece for Austrian football, an idol and a man with outstanding contacts and he should not be lost by our club," he said.

Seven-year spell
Also leaving are Czech striker Wagner and Danish defender Laursen. The 30-year-old Wagner has scored 63 goals in 180 league games for Rapid since joining from 1. FC Brno in 1996. Laursen, meanwhile, joined Rapid earlier this season on a free transfer.

'Incredible merits'
Hickersberger admitted he was looking to freshen up his Rapid squad, after seven years without a title. "René Wagner has incredible qualities but for about two years he has not scored enough goals, and Jacob Laursen has had problems settling down here and wants to return to Denmark," he said.

Young prospects
The Rapid coach will now base his team around young prospects such as goalkeeper Helge Payer and striker Roman Wallner. Earlier this week, Rapid signed 23-year-old central defender Thomas Burgstaller from third division FC Blau Weiss Linz.

'Promising talent'
"We have to put faith in our young players and there are several here with promise," said the former Austria coach, who replaced Lothar Matthäus in May last year. Matthäus has since led FK Partizan to the Serbo-Montenegrin title.