SK Rapid Wien restructures its sporting leadership and appoints Markus Katzer to the management board

Katzer moves into the management board

At the centre of the restructuring stands Markus Katzer, who is to join the management board of Rapid Fußball AG. Katzer will thereby assume responsibility for overall sporting coordination and for implementing the new structures at the interface between the academy, Rapid II and the Bundesliga squad.

The former sporting director of SV Ried, Wolfgang Fiala, is also to play a central role in the sporting area going forward. Fiala, who has many years of experience in the Austrian Bundesliga, was most recently responsible for sporting matters at the Innviertel club and will now work in Hütteldorf.

Fiala and Rapid II: Youth moves closer

Rapid II, the second team positioned between the academy and the professional side, is to be brought closer to the professional squad through the new structure. According to the club, the aim is to make the jump of young players from the youth setup into the Bundesliga more predictable and smoother.

With the reform, the club is responding to sporting shortcomings from the past season. The injury problems of recent years had also repeatedly triggered discussions about training management and medical care.

Response to sporting shortcomings

The personnel decisions were endorsed by the presiding committee of SK Rapid Wien. Wrabetz spoke of a clear commitment to a consistent playing philosophy and training methodology across all age groups, from the youngest boys in the academy to the professionals in the Bundesliga.

With the appointment of Katzer to the management board and Fiala's future role, a stronger centralisation of sporting decisions is taking shape. Together with the existing sporting leadership, both are to embed the new direction in Hütteldorf.

It remains open in which configuration Rapid II will compete in the coming season and what personnel consequences the restructuring will have for individual members of the coaching staff. The club announced that the details would be communicated in the coming weeks.

With the restructuring, Rapid Wien wants to set the course for the coming years. The interlocking of age groups, shorter injury lay-offs and a clear football development are regarded as central building blocks in order to permanently secure sporting closeness to the national top.