Contract expires soon

Coach Wimmer: “It’s actually Austria’s turn”

The Violets have only scored twice in three games in the qualifying group so far. Coach Michael Wimmer's contract expires next summer and the 43-year-old currently sees his team in fifth to eighth place. Former striker Haris Tabakovic is sorely missed in Favoriten. 

What we're missing most at the moment are the goals. Tabakovic was a player who not only scored goals, but was also extremely important in the dressing room. You can't replace that so quickly. As long as the financial situation is like this, you simply have to be modest. It's also important that the ambition matches the actual situation. If we are aware of this, we can also work sensibly. I think that we are currently somewhere between fifth and eighth place as a team."

Honest words from Austrias coach Michael Wimmer after the third game in the qualifying group. Although the Violets lead the group, they are still winless with three draws. Only Dominik Fitz has delivered up front so far, scoring the Violets' only two goals in the qualifying group - that says a lot. "Last year, we were more the outsiders in the championship group, so we could play freely. Now the pressure is always on us because we can also lose something. We play against teams that are fighting for survival, so those are particularly tough games."

Only Dominik Fitz (vo.) cheered for Violett in the qualifying group.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The fear of losing has reigned since the start of the qualifying group, with eight of the nine games so far ending in a draw. "The best way to play is not to make a mistake. It's a shame, but understandable, because there are livelihoods at stake." The 43-year-old has been on the Austria bench 51 times so far, and his contract expires in the summer of 2025.

The 43-year-old German has sat on Austria's coaching bench 51 times so far.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"I'm a guy who doesn't like to go into the last year of his contract. It's actually Austria's turn, I have a contract and the club has to say what happens next. They decide whether they want to extend. I've always said that you have to talk if something about me or the path I'm on doesn't suit you. I still have a year left on my contract, I assume that I'll still be here next year and that's why I'm planning the squad."