ÖFB Team: Will Alaba and Sabitzer return?

It is the (temporary?) end of an era.

In the new ÖFB squad for the Nations League, Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, and David Alaba are missing. Three players who have shaped Austrian football for more than a decade.

Arnautovic's decision clear

That Arnautovic would end his national team career after the World Cup had been known for a long time.

"He already said before the World Cup that it would be his last dance," says Ralf Rangnick.

Sabitzer: Break or more?

Sabitzer, however, is taking a break at least during the Nations League and might possibly return for the European Championship qualifiers in March.

"We had a longer, personal conversation before the World Cup. He honestly told me then that due to his family situation, he was inclined to either stop or at least take a break after the World Cup," explains the national coach.

While Sabitzer is in Dortmund, his wife and daughter live in Vienna. "I understand that," says Rangnick, "it's also clear that he's a huge loss."

What's next for Alaba?

Alaba, however, is not included due to his current free agent status. Rangnick said he had been "in a lot of contact" with the Viennese player in recent weeks and had only spoken to him on the phone on Saturday.

"His last game was against Spain, his last team training the day before. A gut feeling told me that it makes less sense to include him," says the German.

Rangnick continued: "Imagine if he had gotten injured with us, then everyone would have said: 'Are you crazy?!' It makes more sense for him to work on his own fitness."

Re-evaluation only in March?

The national coach is also speculating about dispensing with Alaba in November and "re-evaluating the situation from March for the World Cup qualifiers."

His conclusion regarding the absence of the three veterans: "This changes the leadership hierarchy within the team. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing."