"Standstill and frustration"

ÖFB: President’s report provides new fuel for the fire

ÖFB boss Klaus Mitterdorfer is trying to get the country's largest sports association back on track.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The two managers in the soccer association have been at loggerheads for years. President Klaus Mitterdorfer is working on a structural reform - a three-man management team is to be introduced.  

ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer inherited a massive problem when he took office in 2023 - in management. General Secretary Thomas Hollerer and Managing Director Bernhard Neuhold, the operational managers of the country's largest sports association, are engaged in a power struggle. This has been an open secret for years.

Originally, the problem was supposed to be solved quickly. Mitterdorfer spent months talking to employees and sponsors before writing a four-page report in October 2023.

Almost a year later, this assessment has been submitted to all regional presidents and has been the subject of discussion among members of the Executive Committee for days.

Excerpt from the report

(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

"Problem of not understanding"
 Mitterdorfer noted at the time: "Since 10 May, I have had many discussions with the works councils, the department heads and employees of the ÖFB (from the Marketing and Sales, Finance/Controlling, Organization, Legal, Refereeing, Media and Communications and Sports Directorates) and the national team coaches. All of them told me about the long-standing problem of a lack of understanding and communication between Bernhard and Thomas. Many of them believe that further cooperation is not possible."

Two men, not a word? ÖFB managing directors Bernhard Neuhold (left) and Thomas Hollerer have a communication problem.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

They also say: "According to their reports, many processes are blocked by Thomas (...) Sensible and necessary projects are only processed and approved by Thomas weeks later because they come from Bernhard's areas of responsibility. Thomas is seen as an 'administrator', Bernhard wants to 'shape'."

One department head summarized the problem as follows: "Frustrated employees, mutual stagnation, no appreciation for employees, no leadership skills, no further development." Sponsors and partners are also aware of the internal problems, Mitterdorfer wrote: "The situation is unbearable for them."

The criticized general secretary Thomas Hollerer explains that he is not familiar with the report, but emphasizes that he always does his job correctly and consistently.

"The presentation was a snapshot"
 Did the sporting successes tempt the ÖFB to put the leadership issue on the back burner? The president says that the presentation was "a snapshot" and is "outdated": "The overall findings over a year later reflect a different and more differentiated picture".

How does the ÖFB get out of the impasse? Mitterdorfer has brought a management consultant on board and wants to achieve a comprehensive structural reform in the divided presidium in October: "Many have their own individual interests: You have to detach yourself from all the sensitivities, self-interests and power games. We need a constructive solution in the structure, but also in the question of the management of the organization in order to shape it in the interests of the ÖFB." For him, it is important "that the entire presidium ultimately commits to this modernization, streamlining and professionalization."

The presidium, consisting of the presidents of the national associations and representatives of the Bundesliga, is to be transformed into a modern supervisory board. According to information from "Krone", the ÖFB management is set to become a three-person board. The personnel? Completely open.