Football Season Guide

Austria have had a thoroughly disappointing season that saw them finish inside the Relegation Group and then fail to qualify for Europe after losing the play-off final to Hartberg. Despite this, the board opted against sacking Christian Ilzer, but were stunned by the news that their manager decided to leave them only a few days after the season ended, as he took up the opportunity of taking over at Sturm. Ilzer's decision might well to have been the best for both parties, given that the squad never really adapted to his "total football" ideas and that not only Austria's results were the problem - it was the performances as well. For the time being, sporting director Peter Stoger will also be serving as the manager, but the idea is to appoint someone if things do not go according to play. When it comes to the playing squad, things have not changed too much. Several bit-part players have left the club, while the sole regular to have left is James Jeggo, who will continue his career in Greece. There have also hardly been any arrivals - Alon Turgeman returns from loan in Poland, while Markus Suttner joins as a free agent for his second spell with the club, after originally leaving in 2015. Austria therefore have a similar squad compared to last time around but major uncertainties regard the way they are being led. They severely underperformed last time around but it would not be too much of a surprise if that happened again.