ÖFB boss Mitterdorfer wants to use EM dynamics in stadium issue

President Klaus Mitterdorfer wants to give the project as broad a footing as possible. “I don’t know whether the term national stadium is the right approach,” the Carinthian told APA. A multifunctional arena should be usable for other sports in addition to football. Despite recent efforts from other federal states, the “priority” for the ÖFB is the Vienna location.

Regarding the future of the Ernst Happel Stadium, there is a “more intensive exchange of ideas” with various partners. “That goes as far as the issue of costs,” said Mitterdofer. “In the end, someone will have to pay for it. We have to get everyone on board, otherwise we won’t be able to manage it and we’ll be talking about it for another 17 years. That is not the goal.” He said a one-third solution with the federal government and the city of Vienna as well as a private investor as financiers was conceivable.

Mitterdorfer currently sees the political will to “create something”. However, there are also national elections in the autumn. “Apart from that, it must be in everyone’s interest to have a modern, multifunctional stadium for sport – regardless of which coalition is formed,” said the association head. “We want an independent position in terms of party politics. It’s about sport – and not just football, but also other sports that deserve it.”

Mitterdorfer did not want to give a specific answer as to which other sports should find a new home in the arena. “I am not an expert, but there is the possibility of changing the stands. This applies to both winter and summer sports. It depends a little on the feasibility and the financial viability.” However, many different sports associations are involved in the “thinking process” with the City of Vienna.

Happel Stadium has priority

“You have to think big,” said Mitterdorfer. “I have to get everyone on board, including concert operators, event organizers and investors. That’s much smarter than a national stadium just for football.” The ÖFB selection should not only be seen in Vienna. There are also beautiful stadiums in Linz, where the national team will play its first two home games after the European Championships in October against Kazakhstan (October 10) and Norway (October 13), in Salzburg and Klagenfurt.

Mitterdorfer welcomed the latest initiatives from Burgenland and Styria to make themselves available for a national stadium. Last week he had a conversation with Styrian governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP), who had suggested Premstätten near Graz as a possible location. “There is still no clear concept there as to what that should or could look like,” said Mitterdorfer. At his request, Sturm Graz president Christian Jauk, GAK chairman Rene Ziesler and Hartberg president Brigitte Annerl were present at the meeting. The stadium question is a major issue for all three Styrian Bundesliga clubs.

“In the whole stadium situation, it helps that there is a certain amount of power from the federal states,” explained Mitterdorfer. “But for us, because we are already having a more intensive exchange of ideas, the Ernst Happel Stadium is still a priority.” A good European Championship could be a decisive final boost to get the project going. “I am convinced of that,” said the 58-year-old. “In international comparison, a stadium could give the whole sport a boost – but of course also football.”