Krankl accepts LASK chance
Monday, March 23, 2009
Article summary
Struggling LASK Linz "are happy one of the most popular names in Austrian football has agreed to join us" after tempting 56-year-old former national coach Hans Krankl into making a surprise return to club management.
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Article body
Hans Krankl has made a surprise return to club management after agreeing to take charge of Austrian strugglers LASK Linz for the rest of the season.
President happy
Club president Peter Michael Reichel turned to Krankl, 56, after parting company with coach Klaus Lindenberger on Saturday in the wake of a 4-1 derby defeat at SV Kapfenberg. The loss left LASK in the bottom three of the ten-team Bundesliga, albeit safe from relegation with just one side due to go down. "We are happy that one of the most popular names in Austrian football has agreed to join us in our situation," Reichel said.
National coach
A former SK Rapid Wien and FC Barcelona player who won 69 caps for his country, Krankl was named Austria's Footballer of the Year on five occasions. He coached the national team from January 2002 until September 2005, when he stepped down after learning that his contract would not be extended to cover UEFA EURO 2008™ on home soil.
