Austria continue with Foda? Decision is imminent
The Austrian national team can no longer finish second in the World Cup qualifying group F two match days before the end of the 2022 World Cup qualification, in which, in addition to Denmark, which has already qualified for the finals, Scotland is seven points away from the ÖFB selection.
Although Austria may still have the chance to make it through a back door into the 2022 World Cup play-offs thanks to the good performance in the Nations League in autumn 2020, there is no question that the current fourth place is not only behind Denmark and Scotland, but also still a bitter disappointment after Israel.
There is little public discussion about coach Franco Foda in Austria, who already seemed to be counted before EURO 2021, but then his standing with the entry into the knockout phase and an inspiring appearance in the round of 16 against the eventual European champions Italy (1: 2 .) nV) could improve again.
New ÖFB President on Sunday
With the false start to the new international season in September with a win in the Republic of Moldova (2: 0), but sensitive defeats in Israel (2: 5) and at home against Scotland (0: 1), Foda’s chair is shaky again devices.
Now that Nun follows a 2-0 mandatory win on the Faroe Islands with a 0-1 defeat in Denmark, at least in the regular ÖFB World Cup qualification, there is a lot of speculation about an imminent change of coach.
Foda himself leave this untouched, at least outwardly: “I have an ongoing contract on my part and will give everything here until the last day to get the team back on track. I’m the wrong person to talk to for everything else, ”argue the 55-year-old German after the defeat in Copenhagen.
A decision will certainly not be made before the weekend, but the new election of the ÖFB president will take place on Sunday. After the outgoing President Leo Windtner Foda had initially only spoken out for October, his designed successor Gerhard Milletich did not want to comment on the coach question.
It is conceivable, however, that Foda will sit on the bench in the already insignificant home games against Israel (November 12th) as well as in possible play-offs in March.
An argument for this could be that the current would be extended to the end of the qualification phase in the coach’s current contract up to the finals in Qatar in November and December if the ticket for the 2022 World Cup finals were bought. If Foda were now released, the ÖFB could face the threatening scenario of having to pay two coaches and their staff for a year, even if Foda is now released.
Hope for a better personal situation in March
Peter Schöttel openly pleads for a further independent collaboration with Foda. “The Presidium will hear from me that my recommendation is definitely to go to the November seminar with Franco Foda. I think he’s doing everything he can to get the ship back on course. I have this impression – and I’m really very close to the team, ”said the ÖFB sports director.
“Makes no sense.” ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel stands in front of team boss Franco #Foda! #oefb #denaut https://t.co/d4l3nmXBBG
– Sky Sport Austria (@SkySportAustria) October 13, 2021
He also showed in the ORF that the qualification for the 2022 World Cup via the play-offs will still succeed. The existing hope is also nourished by the fact that the personal situation should be better in March. In Denmark, Austria missed a total of eleven players due to illness or injury, including regular players such as Marko Arnautovic, Aleksandar Dragovic, Christoph Baumgartner and Stefan Lainer.
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