Wiener Austria set the course for the future on Monday and took a step out of the economic misery. The full members of the association unanimously approved the sale of 40 percent of the shares in the AG to a group of investors at a general meeting. The committees of the traditional club had previously agreed on the terms of the contract. The deal is worth ten million euros and is intended to ensure Austria’s survival for the time being.
The good news was also brought by a man who is supposed to help steer the sporting fortunes of the club in the long term. Jürgen Werner is part of “Viola Investment GmbH – Friends of Austria”. “We have now woken up Austria from the coma, but she is still an intensive care patient,” said Werner at a press conference. The former vice president of LASK will in future be in charge of sports as a sports director.
For the time being, however, the former player’s agent has been banned from the Bundesliga, last June Werner received an 18-month ban for violating league regulations. The 60-year-old challenged this. Otherwise, there are no unknown actors at work in Viola GmbH. The presidency around President Frank Hensel and Vice Raimund Harreither is represented, as well as sympathizers such as Real star David Alaba, who has violet roots. He had his father George represent him and contacted the supporters via video.
Motion accepted with no dissenting votes
Hensel reported on a “very intensive but constructive general meeting”. The motion was accepted unanimously, with only a few abstentions. According to Hensel, the club can now look ahead. “This is the beginning of a new era,” said the president of the Favoritner.
In view of negative equity of more than EUR 19 million and liabilities of more than EUR 79 million, anything but the approval of the members would have been surprising. In all likelihood, bankruptcy would have been the alternative. CEO Gerhard Krisch noted that operational projects would now be set up to save costs and increase revenues. The club should already have a positive balance sheet in 2022/23. “That is the very clear goal.”
Extension with Huskovic
In terms of sport, there was also good news for the fans. Young team striker Muharem Huskovic extended his contract until 2025. The 18-year-old attacking player already played for the U15 team “Veilchen” and established himself in the first team last autumn. Huskovic also made it into the Austrian U21 national team.
“This extension, also over this period, is a clear message of how attractive this new, progressive Austria path is for young players – internally and externally,” said sports director Manuel Ortlechner. Several clubs are said to have shown interest in Huskovic after his contract originally expired in the summer. Werner was already involved in the talks.
