Adriaanse appointed at Salzburg

Shared ideals
With Trapattoni having decided to take over as Republic of Ireland coach at the end of the domestic season, Dutchman Adriaanse has been named as his successor at Salzburg, who are top of the table and on course for a second successive Austrian Bundesliga title. Sporting director Heinz Hochhauser said of the 60-year-old: "His modern attacking football and his passion for youth development are totally in line with our ideals."

European credentials
Adriaanse added: "I am looking forward to this interesting challenge. I was persuaded to take over by the professional environment here and the prospects for this attractive club. I will take on this assignment with great enthusiasm." Adriaanse guided AZ Alkmaar into the semi-finals of the 2004/05 UEFA Cup and led FC Porto to a Portuguese double in 2005/06. Most recently, he was in charge of FC Metalurh Donetsk in Ukraine.

Austrian renaissance
The coach's arrival will create more excitement in Austria, where domestic football is undergoing a renaissance in the run-up to UEFA EURO 2008™. After 27 of the 36 matchdays, average crowds were up 8.2 per cent to 8,704 per game, with second-placed SK Rapid Wien topping the attendance list with an average gate of 13,662. Bundesliga chairman Georg Pangl said: "There are many exciting matches ahead given that almost half the teams in the league can still win the title, so we expect another rise in spectator numbers."