Austrian FA chief Pröll calls for new leaders ahead of Nations League matches
Ahead of the upcoming Nations League matches of the Austrian national team, ÖFB chief Pröll in Vienna is full of confidence. “We want to get promoted to League A,” emphasizes the 58‑year‑old chairman, while he keeps an eye on the upcoming fixtures against Israel, Kosovo and Ireland and intensifies preparation for the decisive games.
Josef Pröll expressed great optimism because he heard the words of team boss Ralf Rangnick during the squad announcement. Rangnick announced that it would “be a blast”, and Pröll is convinced that this lays the foundation for a successful campaign.
Against Israel, Kosovo and Ireland several key players are missing: the not match‑fit David Alaba, the retired Marko Arnautovic, the resting Marcel Sabitzer and the injured Christoph Baumgartner. In addition, Konrad Laimer will not be available, at least for the first two fixtures.
New leadership players needed
Pröll emphasized that there is now a new setup in several areas. “There is a new setup in several areas. The real challenge now is to integrate the new players relatively quickly and shape a team,” he explained.
The 58‑year‑old chairman called for a new hierarchy in the ÖFB selection. “Now we will see who quickly takes on leadership roles. There are enough players who have been in the national team for a long time and will grow into these roles. But of course, networks and personal relationships will be reorganised, and accompanying and shaping that will be the task of the coaches and the leadership players,” Pröll added.
Promotion as a sporting and economic ambition
Regardless of the upheaval, the goal for the Nations League group stage remains unchanged. “We want to get promoted to League A. That is our sporting ambition and also economically attractive,” said Pröll.
In the event of promotion, Austria would face European top teams in two years. To achieve that, the ÖFB selection must win the group; with a final ranking of two, a promotion play‑off in March 2027 could secure the jump to the top tier of the Nations League.
Pröll's clear message underscores the urgency of quickly identifying and integrating leadership players. Only in this way can the Austrian national team realise its sporting and economic goals in the Nations League.