Austria pin hopes on Hickersberger

Krankl leaving
The contract of current incumbent Hans Krankl will not be renewed when it expires next month, following Austria's failure to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The ÖFB wants a coach with a fresh approach to take charge ahead of what will be their first finals appearance since France '98. "I am sure Josef Hickersberger is the ideal man to prepare the team for the big goal of EURO 2008 at home," said ÖFB president Friedrich Stickler.

Champions League focus
However, the 57-year-old Hickersberger, who was last at the Austrian helm 15 years ago, said his focus was on Rapid's UEFA Champions League tie at Juventus FC on Tuesday. "I am very honoured that several people could imagine me as the new coach," the ÖFB quoted him as saying. "I am concentrating on the game against Juventus in Turin at the moment." Stickler is relying on Hickersberger cancelling his contract with the Austrian champions and the goodwill of Rapid president Rudolf Edlinger.

Out of contention
Krankl, 52 and one of Austrian football's favourite sons, was appointed in early 2002 and charged with rebuilding the squad after a disappointing performance in qualifying for that year's World Cup in Korea/Japan. Austria also missed out on last summer's UEFA European Championship in Portugal and dropped out of contention for a place in Germany 2006 when they drew 0-0 in Azerbaijan earlier this month - leaving Poland and England to fight for the automatic passage from Group 6.