Dokupil: “As long as Red Bull is with Salzburg, Rapid will win…
Ernst Dokupil, the bald-headed 75-year-old coaching legend of Hütteldorfer, ensures Rapid’s future. Not only because of the competition from Salzburg.
Ernst Dokupil can be found regularly at Rapid’s home games in the Allianz Stadium. However, the Viennese skips the duel with Sturm Graz on Sunday – this is his 75th birthday and he prefers to spend it with his family. “She insists that we celebrate together and I’m no longer under contract with Rapid, so I don’t have to go either,” said Dokupil.
Dokupil had a contract with Rapid from 1994 to 2001. During this time he led Hütteldorfer to their last cup win (1995), to the championship title, to the European Cup final of the cup winners’ competition and to the Champions League (1996 each). Green and white are currently miles away from such successes, and according to Dokupil that is not only related to the financial supremacy of Red Bull Salzburg.
The Rapid philosophy, so that many self-made players should first gain a foothold with the professionals and then bring in high fees, is rejected by Dokupil. “This path will not lead to the championship title, just to bring out some good youngsters that you then immediately sell again.” The ex-coach also said: “If you try to sell the best players every year, you never have a champion team.”
Ultras: “You decide”
Dokupil does not accept that there is no alternative to Rapid’s approach due to the difficult economic situation. In his opinion, a stronger commitment from financially strong people like Roland Schmid or Michael Tojner would have made it. The latter is playing a leading role in the construction of the club academy, the former lost the Rapid presidential election against Martin Bruckner in November 2019 and returned to the club a few months later as a sponsor.
Before the election, Dokupil spoke out in favor of Schmid. “Then the members decided to go with the youngsters, they don’t want to be champions. I think the goal would have been different with Schmid.” The organized fan scene also contributed to Bruckner’s election, with which Dokupil did not have an easy relationship even towards the end of his tenure.
Since then, the influence of the ultras has grown even greater, the bald 75-year-old suspected. “Ultras can play valuable roles at the club, but they shouldn’t rule.” Do that? “I think so,” said Dokupil. Due to the developments of the past few years, it is inconceivable for the ex-coach that Rapid can continue on from old successes. “As long as Red Bull is with Salzburg, Rapid won’t win a title,” predicted Dokupil.
(APA)