Hickersberger answers Austria
Monday, October 17, 2005
Article summary
Josef Hickersberger is ready to leave SK Rapid Wien and lead Austria into UEFA EURO 2008™, a tournament the country will co-host with Switzerland.
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International return
The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has made Hickersberger its No1 candidate to replace Hans Krankl as coach after the latter's contract expired at the start of this month. The 57-year-old, who was last at the Austrian helm 15 years ago, originally said he wished to concentrate on his duties with UEFA Champions League hopefuls Rapid, but is now set to return to the international stage.
'Big challenge'
"It was a hard decision for me," said Hickersberger. "But it's an honour for me to accept the ÖFB's offer and guide our team to EURO 2008 in our own country. It is a big challenge for Austria, for the team and for me. Obviously I would like to fulfil my contract with Rapid until next summer and switch after that, but I don't know if that's possible." He will soon find out, as Rapid president Rudolf Edlinger and ÖFB president Friedrich Stickler meet on Wednesday to work out the finer details of the switch.
EURO 2008 aspirations
Stickler would like Hickersberger to start his new job in January, but Edlinger is keen for him to remain at the Ernst Happel stadium until next summer. He is at least guaranteed the former Austrian international's services until the completion of the UEFA Champions League group stage in December. Hickersberger is already looking forward to stepping into Krankl's shoes: "I hope I can bring back the success we need and deserve, and form a perfect Austrian team for EURO 2008."
