“It’s more important to my family or journalists than it is to me. For me, it’s a birthday like any other, I don’t value birthdays very much,” said the APA celebrant. No big party is planned, he will celebrate his day of honor in peace with his family, Krankl said.
Rapid party booked up in minutes
Rapid wants to celebrate but not let it go and invites you to the event “70 Years – An Evening for Hans Krankl” at the Allianz Stadium on Friday. The event with the birthday child was fully booked within a few minutes, additional tickets had to be issued. The “Rapidler of the Century” was not often seen in the Hütteldorfer’s new home, because Krankl’s relationship with his heart club has been damaged in recent years.
Almost ten years ago, his return to Rapid as vice president seemed a done deal, but then the election committee rejected Krankl’s supporter Erich Kirisits as president. Michael Krammer took over the office, the club icon foamed. In 2019, Krankl spoke out in favor of Roland Schmid as the new club boss, but Martin Bruckner prevailed in the vote.
“They didn’t want me twice”
According to Krankl, he no longer feels the need to work at Rapid. “They didn’t want me twice, so it’s not interesting for me.” The sporting decisions for the green-whites are currently being made by Steffen Hofmann, Markuskatzer and Zoran Barisic. “I can only wish them the best of luck. We’ll see if they can pull it off,” said the former Rapid coach (1989 – 1992).
Krankl cannot see the new start at Rapid that has been announced by some quarters. “They said everything will be new, but that didn’t happen. A lot has stayed the same.” Hütteldorf’s wait for a title, which has been going on since 2008, is hurting Rapid’s record scorers. “But the people who have been there over the last 15 years have always known everything better. You saw what came out anyway.”
70 years of Hans Krankl
Former Austrian soccer player Hans Krankl celebrates his 70th birthday on February 14th. He is one of the most successful footballers in the city of Vienna.
“In football not everything is won with money”
Krankl can no longer hear the constant comments that Red Bull Salzburg cannot be reached due to financial superiority. “There’s always a chance. Of course, Salzburg has the biggest budget and the best team, but not everything in football is won with money. If I settle for second or third place, I’ll be the first or second loser,” said Krankl. With this statement, he not only refers to Rapid, but also to all other league clubs, emphasized the ex-goalgetter.
The influence of the organized Rapid fan scene is also viewed critically. “The fans do great things for the game and the team, there is no better audience than the Rapid crowd. Having a say in the club is a different story, it’s probably become too much, but I can’t judge that from the outside,” said Krankl.
Good conditions for national team
The 69-time ÖFB international (34 goals) is also a bit skeptical about Austria’s national coach Ralf Rangnick. “It’s no secret that I would have preferred to see Andi Herzog or Peter Stöger as team boss.” Krankl said he would only judge Rangnick’s work in the summer, after a year in office. The prerequisites for a successful era of German are good.
“We have 35 legionnaires, some of whom are very prominent clubs, and a lot of top-class players. You can expect a lot from this national team.” Under Krankl’s reign from 2002 to 2005, the quality of the ÖFB selection was at a significantly lower level. “I sometimes think to myself that if I had had a squad like the one we have today, that would have been something. But it just wasn’t like that.”
Cordoba “never gets boring”
As a player, Krankl was much more successful with the national team than when he was a coach – his two goals in the 3-2 win against Germany at the 1978 World Cup in Cordoba, including Edi Finger’s “I’ll be foolish!” became legendary. “It’s not old hat. When I’m dead 100 years, they’ll still be talking about Cordoba because it’s part of Austrian football history. It will never be stale, it will always be there,” explained Krankl.
Cordoba was by no means the only success in the Viennese’s career. With Rapid he became champion twice (1982, 1983), four times cup winner (1976, 1983, 1984, 1985) and came in 1985 in the cup winner competition in the European Cup final (1:3 against Everton, Ehrentor Krankl). With FC Barcelona he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979, and he also scored a goal in the final against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Messi ‘best player ever’
Krankl has been a big fan of the big Catalan club ever since, and the former top scorer is particularly taken with its former star Lionel Messi. “I was very happy about his world title. I love him, got to know him when he was 20. He’s the best player ever and a decent, humble guy.” Krankl also has a high opinion of Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo. “Ronaldo is second best of all time but Messi is unmatched.”
Krankl analyzes top European football as well as the domestic kick as an expert for the pay TV channel Sky. In addition, his passion has been music for decades. Krankl is often on stage with the cover band “Monti Beton”. “I really enjoy these performances and people like it.” The next gig is on February 18th, one day after the party in the Allianz Stadium, at the Portofino Vienna in Simmering.
