Rapid Vienna takes its time with Stöger's successor

Rapid Vienna still has four competitive matches ahead in 2025: two in the Bundesliga and two in the Conference League. On Saturday at 5:00 PM, they will host Ried. Katzer described the development that led to the separation from Stöger and assistant coach Sageder as "not pleasant." They had lost faith that Stöger could turn things around and therefore wanted to set a new impulse.

Coach Search Underway - Rapid Vienna Has a Clear Requirement Profile

From now on, the motto is "look ahead." While Kulovits is supposed to get the Rapid Vienna team, which lost four of the last five competitive matches with a meager draw, back on track, the search for a coach is underway. According to Katzer, they are looking for someone "who thinks modern in football," fits into the salary structure, and has a certain reputation, personality, and experience. "At Rapid, you also have to be able to withstand a certain amount of pressure." However, the fact is, "we will not find the perfect person because they do not exist in that form. We have a clear requirement profile, but not all things will be covered."

He wants to keep this away from Kulovits and the team, "because the full focus is now on the last games," said Katzer. Kulovits, who already acted as interim coach in the spring after the departure of Rapid Vienna coach Robert Klauß, spoke of an extremely responsible task. "I try to implement it as well as possible." Does the 42-year-old see himself in Katzer's desired coach profile? If he delivers progress and results with the team in the four games, "then I haven't heard a big argument against me."

Rapid Vienna Interim Coach Kulovits Wants to Deliver - Katzer to Stay

Kulovits is certainly not averse to the position of Rapid Vienna head coach; it is a "huge dream." "I think everyone who knows me knows how much I associate with the club." But first, they have to deliver, said Kulovits, who, like Katzer, sees a lot of potential in the Rapid Vienna team. "We will invest all our energy into the team to achieve the turnaround now." Everything beyond these two weeks is uncertain. "But we will certainly sit down together if the whole thing ends successfully."

Katzer also ruled nothing out. "We want, if someone does it really, really well, who is already here, not to close this door, of course." However, the fact is also that they will be very active in the market and have many discussions. The 45-year-old Rapid Vienna managing director also commented on his future - interest from Red Bull Salzburg is rumored in the media - on Tuesday. He has been rooted with Rapid Vienna since childhood and has celebrated great successes, said Katzer, who is under contract until 2027. "I have made the decision for myself that it is not over yet and there is still a lot I want to complete. I have no intention of changing my situation at all."

(APA/Red)

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