ÖFB Head of Youth Development Prödl: "Technique is King"

The ÖFB officials are still in the midst of a comprehensive analysis after the World Cup.

One insight has already been gained. "It was evident at the World Cup that technically proficient teams dominated in possession," said Sebastian Prödl, Head of ÖFB youth teams, in an interview with "ORF".

In recent years, the ÖFB team was primarily characterized by intensity, pressing, and physicality. After the World Cup, voices emerged advocating for a stronger focus on other aspects as well.

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Andreas Herzog recently asked: "Do we continue this way or do we need some players where it's not about size and power, but where game intelligence comes first?"

"Development that opens our eyes"

The ÖFB is certainly dealing with these questions.

On the sidelines of the Prospective Player Course, ÖFB Sports Director Peter Schöttel said about Austria's performance at the World Cup: "We are in the middle of the analysis. The fact is that two years ago at the European Championship, we had all players at a top level who played football differently together than they do now. There are individual reasons for each player. We will ponder over that in the coming weeks."

Prödl emphasized once again: "What was seen at the World Cup: Technique is King. The Spaniards prevailed, they had the technical advantage throughout the tournament."

The former national team defender added: "This is also a development that opens our eyes in how we will assess talents. It is the motto of the Prospective Player Course. That one feels reminded again of where playing football began, on the street, in the garden, or by the clothesline."

Academies and Clubs also called upon

However, they do not necessarily want to abandon the intensive play against the ball. It is a unique selling point "that has accompanied us with the senior national team in recent years and has also thrilled people," according to Schöttel.

Prödl: "It means uniting both worlds; that will be the future, both in youth and professional football. This applies to all teams. But we must not make the mistake, especially in youth development – and that is also my task together with the head coaches – of letting technique take a back seat."

"But for that, we must do this as a collective effort," Prödl also calls upon clubs and academies to play their part.

Both Schöttel and Prödl emphasize at the same time that in the past, several measures have already been implemented in youth development to allow for more creativity again.