“Martin Hinteregger has taken an unusual career; after very successful years at Eintracht Frankfurt, he decided to take a break at his personal peak. We were in regular contact and dealt with each other openly and honestly during this time. He has caught fire again, the motivation and ambition are back. We are delighted that he will bring his class and experience to Austria and we are sure that he will be an asset to our club in every way,” says Sport Director Günther Gorenzel.
Sankt Veiter originally started at SGA Sirnitz, moved to the Red Bull Salzburg academy at the age of 15 and made the jump to the professionals. After five Bundesliga titles and four cup wins (including four doubles), Hinteregger moved to Germany and played for Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. The 1.84 meter man celebrated the biggest success of his career with the Hessians, winning the UEFA Europa League in the 2021/22 season.
“I always listened to my gut feeling. After physically and mentally demanding years, it was important for me to reach a distance and realign my life. But it has now become clear to me that my story as a footballer is not over yet, that I am ready to compete and prove myself at a high level. Austria Klagenfurt and the Wörthersee Stadium mean home to me and I can hardly wait to be back on the pitch. I will do everything I can to do my part to ensure that we succeed as a team,” says Martin Hinteregger.
After 143 games (five goals) in the domestic Bundesliga, 190 appearances (17 goals) in Germany’s top league and 77 games (eight goals) in international competitions as well as 68 games for Austria with participation in the final of the European Championship in 2016 and 2021 “Hinti” made the decision to end his professional career in the summer of 2022 at 29 year old and despite his current contract with Eintracht until 2024 being suspended for the time being. The left-footed player returned to his hometown of Carinthia and played again for his hometown club SGA Sirnitz.
After two and a half years of temporary retirement, Hinteregger is now ready for a new start. By signing with the Austrian Klagenfurt, he is fulfilling a wish he had already formulated during his time in Frankfurt. At that time, the defensive giant said that he grew up with FC Kärnten, with players such as Manuel Weber, Almedin Hota and Klaus Rohseano, and wanted to follow in their footsteps at the end of his career. Now the time has come: “Hinti” begins its service in Waidmannsdorf.
“As a very young kicker back in Salzburg, I benefited a lot from being able to follow experienced players like Martin Hiden, who was my mentor and always helped me. It is now a great motivation for me to pass on my experiences and, in particular, to support the young players in the Austrian Klagenfurt squad on their path,” emphasized Martin Hinteregger.
How does Martin Hinteregger plan to contribute to Austria Klagenfurt’s success following his comeback?
Interview: Time.news Editor Interviews Martin Hinteregger on His Comeback
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, Martin. Thank you for joining us today. It’s a pleasure to speak with you about your return to professional football with Austria Klagenfurt. How are you feeling about this new chapter in your career?
Martin Hinteregger (MH): Good morning! I’m really excited. It feels great to be back at the pitch, especially with a club that feels like home to me. I think my time away was essential, and now I feel more motivated and ambitious than ever.
TNE: You mentioned needing a distance to realign your life. What led to your decision to take a break at what many would consider the peak of your career?
MH: It was a combination of factors. After a lot of physically and mentally demanding years, I just needed to step back and evaluate where I was. It was important to listen to my gut feeling. The break allowed me to recharge and reflect on what I truly wanted moving forward.
TNE: You’ve had an impressive career, with successes at Eintracht Frankfurt, including winning the Europa League. How do you plan to bring that experience to Austria Klagenfurt and help the team in their current struggles?
MH: My experience in high-pressure situations and knowing what it takes to compete at a high level will definitely be beneficial. I’m looking forward to sharing that with my teammates. I believe that having a solid foundation of teamwork and communication is key to overcoming challenges, and I’m ready to lend my support on and off the pitch.
TNE: Günther Gorenzel, the Sport Director, mentioned that they maintained regular contact with you during your break. How did those discussions influence your decision to come back now?
MH: Our communication was open and honest, which meant a lot to me. It reassured me that the club really valued me and my potential to contribute. I felt supported, and when the time was right, I knew that Klagenfurt would be the place where I could make my comeback.
TNE: You are set to start training soon under head coach Peter Pacult. What are your priorities as you step back onto the training ground?
MH: My immediate priority is to get my fitness back up to par and to understand each player’s role within the team. Building chemistry with my teammates is crucial, and I’m ready to dive into the training sessions to get acclimated quickly.
TNE: Looking ahead, what are your personal goals for the upcoming season with Austria Klagenfurt?
MH: I want to help the team reach its potential and of course, I aim to be a vital part of our success. Personally, I want to prove to myself that I can compete at a high level again and contribute significantly. Winning is obviously a big part of that!
TNE: Fans are eager to see you back in action. Any message you wish to convey to them ahead of your return?
MH: Absolutely! I can’t wait to feel the energy of the fans at the Wörthersee Stadium. Their support means everything, and I promise to give my all for the team. Together, I believe we can create something special this season.
TNE: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Martin. We’re excited to follow your journey and wish you the best in your comeback!
MH: Thank you! I appreciate the support and look forward to the challenges ahead.