22. April 2024
All levers have been set in motion for the last few months. The efforts have been going on tirelessly throughout the entire winter break, and this Monday the meeting actually lasted well into the evening – in order to reach a unanimous board decision after intensive consultation.
The die for today’s decision was only cast in these minutes; Simply for the reason that several components that are crucial for the admission process and purple club behavior have to be worked on – everything was carefully considered with heart, brain and high pressure before the board, in the presence of President Claus Salzmann, came to the decision to take the second route instance.
The board and president give everything for approval
The decisive factor was further written funding commitments regarding the renovations in the event of a promotion, which encouraged those responsible to vote for the protest route. “We have submitted later, we want to try it and see what the decision is in the second instance. We see the matter as a major positive challenge and opportunity for the entire club and the city of Salzburg,” the board sums up, without making any secret of the fact that money will continue to be needed.
“The big sponsorship we had hoped for did not materialize, but many of our strong partners will expand their support. This gives us the opportunity to attempt any promotion without financial risk; We are incredibly grateful for that. The fact that we can rely on members and an active fan scene in every respect is our biggest advantage and the basis of everything in this club,” says chairman David Rettenbacher, swearing by the cohesion in our club.
Everything on the lawn, everything from the surrounding area
Meanwhile, all planning continues to be two-pronged, simply because we cannot be completely certain that the future developments on several levels will be based solely on the Bundesliga. Rettenbacher’s assessment also clearly shows that there is “not a euro too many” in Austria’s account today: “If it works, we are prepared to fight for 13th place from the first matchday onwards. With a close-knit group and our twelfth man, we have the confidence to do it and think that it can be a very attractive task – without it being a broken leg, we shouldn’t be able to do it and be relegated again.
Of course, to this day, it’s not always possible to submit the required papers exactly as we want. Actual approval therefore remains uncertain, we don’t want to withhold that, but the evidence ultimately makes the protest submitted this evening seem to make sense. Especially since it is not only important to refine this magnificent anniversary season in the spirit of a healthy sporting spirit, but also a promising future awaits: “A possible promotion opens up infrastructural opportunities for us that we would not have if we voluntarily remained in the RLW. Long-standing partners have agreed to cover some of the necessary conversion costs in the event of promotion,” the Austria board explains the opportune moment.
Close contact with the Bundesliga: Austria won’t let up!
The step taken by those responsible for Austria confirms the intention not to abandon the close contact with the Bundesliga that was established this season. And although we are not in a position today to promise the success of our short-term plans, our club can still be sure of the greatest achievement of this season: “We consider the fact that a game operation in Maxglan over this to be our greatest success Either way, it is guaranteed beyond the season and we do not have to carry out the threatened and contractually agreed dismantling at the club’s expense. In this regard, we would like to thank our president and the responsible city politicians. Without exaggeration, this was considered extremely unlikely just a few months ago.”
We belong up!