Old rivals reunited in Montreux

Centurions
The former FC Bayern München, Werder Bremen and SK Rapid Wien midfielder will conduct proceedings alongside another centurion, Switzerland's former BV Borussia Dortmund striker Stéphane Chapuisat, as 50 European countries are divided into seven groups, from which the top two will advance to a final tournament to be co-hosted by the Alpine nations. The official newsletter of UEFA's premier national-team event, Inside EURO 2008™, spoke with Herzog ahead of the draw in Montreux.

Inside EURO 2008™: Andreas, you have been appointed as Austria's ambassador for UEFA EURO 2008. What exactly is your role?
Andreas Herzog: My job is to get people excited about the UEFA European Championship finals and, in particular, the Austrian team. For me, the event in Montreux is a kind of international starting signal. So far, I have mainly been involved in events for up-and-coming players, watching talented youngsters and meeting sponsors.

Recently you were also involved with the Austrian senior side as team manager. Was that a one-off?
That was born of necessity. Hans Krankl resigned as coach and his appointed successor, Josef Hickersberger, was not yet available. So the Austrian Football Association roped in a three-man team for the final two FIFA World Cup qualifiers: two coaches plus myself as a kind of mediator. My main job was to look after the young players and to answer the awkward questions in press conferences. As a former team captain, it is perhaps a bit easier to deal with such questions, since the media are sometimes a bit gentler. A few weeks later, Hickersberger asked me whether I wanted to stay on to look after the team.

Did you accept his offer?
Yes, as I would like to coach the team myself one day. At the moment I am taking my coaching licence and learning why a muscle over-acidifies and other exciting things. I was extremely honoured by Hickersberger's offer. He was the coach when I made my debut for Austria against Greece in 1988. He also picked me for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. I can't imagine a better teacher.

What are your links with Stéphane Chapuisat?
I still have nightmares about him. When he played for Dortmund against Werder, we almost always lost and he was usually the best player on the pitch. Once, in a sold-out Westfalenstadion, he nutmegged me twice in the space of a few seconds and I was so ashamed I wanted the ground to swallow me up. But seriously, you have to take your hat off to someone like Stéphane because he was, and still is, a real legend. It is impressive that he is still playing in the second division for his hometown club in order to give something back in return for what the club did for him when he was young.

What happened when you played against Switzerland for the national team?
I played against the Swiss three times in all, winning once and losing twice. I particularly remember the match in St. Gallen on 10 March 1999: we won 4-2 and I scored two goals. Raphael Wicky told me a few years later that the Swiss coach, Gilbert Gress, had said in the dressing room: "Johann must take care of Herzog." But the starting eleven included two midfielders called Johann - Vogel and Lonfat - and both left it to the other to pick me up. I've never asked whether it was true, but it's a funny story.

What can we expect from Austria at UEFA EURO 2008™?
We have to remain realistic as it will be the first time we have participated in the European Championship final round. Our objective must be to progress to the second stage. The potential of some of our young players gives us hope. But we don't yet have any players with international reputations such as Vogel, Philippe Senderos or Alexander Frei. However, that should not discourage us, but spur us on. As a young player you couldn't wish for anything greater to aim at than performing at a European Championship right on your doorstep.