UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Rapid resolve to try again

Having bowed out with six group stage defeats, SK Rapid Wien hope a new coach can give them another crack at the UEFA Champions League in 2006/07.

Coaching switch
Since joining in 2004, coach Josef Hickersberger has rebuilt Rapid, leading them to a 31st Bundesliga title last season, but his tenure ends in January when he takes over Austria's national team ahead of UEFA EURO 2008™. He will be replaced by SV Pasching's Georg Zellhofer.

Contrasting fortunes
Hickersberger's last match in charge was Saturday's 2-0 reverse at SV Austria Salzburg, which ended a seven-game unbeaten streak in domestic action. Europe has proved much tougher, however, with all six UEFA Champions League Group A ties being lost. Indeed, Rapid have yet to win a UEFA Champions League match proper in 12 attempts - though the income gained this time around will not go amiss.

Double importance
"Money is important and the UEFA Champions League has helped us maintain a comfortable financial situation at Rapid," said Hickersberger. "Our experience was also important because now our country will receive two qualifying places, so the top two positions in the Austrian Bundesliga are now our target."

A must
Trailing joint-leaders FK Austria Wien and Salzburg by six points as the winter break begins, Rapid face a stern challenge if they are to return to the qualifying rounds of the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League - something Hickersberger believes is a must.

Different class
"We wanted to win our final group game and we played well against Juventus," he said. "We were unlucky at times against Club Brugge [KV] but we are not at the same level as teams like Juve or [FC] Bayern [München]. However, the more we become accustomed to this standard of football, the better we will become."

New coach
If Rapid are to reach the group stage again, much will depend on Zellhofer. Hungarian international midfielder György Korsós sees no reson why he should not succeed at the Ernst Happel stadium. "All the players know his pedigree and will try to improve even more under his stewardship," he said.

Happy camp
"Zellhofer visited the club last week and we all met him, so the change will hopefully be seamless because everyone is happy with their situation," added Korsós. "And we hope that the chance to earn our first UEFA Champions League win won't be too far away either!"

Selected for you