Mateschitz gives Salzburg wings

Ivanschitz deal
Going into the winter break level on points with FK Austria Wien, Salzburg signalled their title ambition by luring Ivanschitz from reigning champions SK Rapid Wien. "Salzburg gave me the best chance of achieving something in Austria," the 22-year-old said. "That is the only reason I moved."

Dipping form
Such an assessment may surprise those who have followed the recent fortunes of the club. Ten years ago, Salzburg were Austria's top side, playing UEFA Champions League football in 1994/95, but their golden age was short-lived.

Major investment
Players and coaches began to desert the team, and last season Salzburg came dangerously close to relegation. However, their situation has turned around dramatically thanks to major investment from Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of energy drink brand Red Bull.

'Big things'
"It's not me who is important, nor is it the money I'm investing - it's the sport itself that is important," said Mateschitz at the start of the campaign. "Everybody is expecting big things and I can promise we'll do our best to play good football. This is our primary goal."

All-star cast
Salzburg gained momentum with FC Bayern München president Franz Beckenbauer, a friend of Mateschitz, brought in as an adviser, Kurt Jara enlisted as coach and no fewer than 14 players signed, including eleven internationals.

'I got them all'
Foreign stars Vratislav Lokvenc, Thomas Linke, Ezequiel Carboni and Alexander Zickler linked up with top Austrian players Roland Kirchler, Christian Mayrleb, Markus Schopp and now midfielder Ivanschitz. "I wanted them all and I got them all," said Jara.

Jara's discipline
At the start of this term, Jara's dream team struggled to find the right cohesion, drifting down the table, but the coach's insistence on hard work and strict discipline soon snapped them into shape. They now look on course to battle with Austria Wien for the championship.

Ahead of schedule
Jara had set his targets low, insisting: "The first year is a trial run. We are focused on winning the title next year and then making our way into Europe." However, it seems Salzburg's plans to grab one of Austria's two UEFA Champions League qualifying places could be ahead of schedule. Whether the country's other clubs can resist them will be the defining question of the remainder of the season.