Rapid missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Conference League on Thursday after a 1-0 home defeat by Liechtenstein club FC Vaduz, second to bottom in the Swiss second division. This led to loud fan protests, which also demanded the resignation of club president Bruckner, who has headed the club since November 2019.
“I had a lot of discussions both on the day of the game against Vaduz and afterwards, which ultimately led to this decision,” Bruckner, who otherwise does not want to be available for media inquiries, is quoted as saying in the broadcast.
“United Association” currently not possible
“My executive team and I care about a good future for SK Rapid and a united club, and this is apparently no longer possible in the current constellation,” said Bruckner, whose executive team has included Michaela Dorfmeister, Gerhard Höckner, Monisha Kaltenborn and Nikolaus from the start Rosenauer, Stefan Singer and Gerry Willfurth and since June 2022 Michael Hatz.
Bruckner would like to continue the business until the next general meeting of the club. If a “suitable list” is found by the election committee beforehand, in his view “there is nothing to prevent the general meeting from being held earlier”.
“Negative mood” despite success
Unfortunately, he never managed to “change the negative mood that has prevailed since the election three years ago, which accompanied us despite second places in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons and twice participation in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. to turn around”.
As a plus point during his tenure, Bruckner also cited the fact that despite the coronavirus pandemic, it was possible to be financially stable and to set up the new training center in the Prater from their own funds.
From 2013 to 2019, Bruckner was finance officer in the team of then-President Michael Krammer, whom he finally followed after an election campaign that was also conducted through the media. Finally, the 57-year-old Viennese thanked his “heart club” in his message and did not rule out that someone from his team will also be part of a presidency in the future.
Barisic: “Keep calm”
According to media reports, there is also a resignation of business manager Christoph Peschek in the room, there was no statement on Saturday for the time being. Those responsible had tried to prevent a trainer discussion on Friday.
Sports director Zoran Barisic demonstratively backed coach Ferdinand Feldhofer. “We know Rapid is a very emotional club, a very explosive place. It’s important to draw the right conclusions, but also to keep calm,” said Barisic.
