Schöttel suspects "lack of self-promotion" behind his ÖFB exit

It has been two months since Peter Schöttel was dismissed as sporting director at the ÖFB.

During this time, he has tried to process the past nine years and the end of the collaboration, as he explained in an interview with ORF.

Distance from the national team came relatively quickly, although Schöttel emphasizes that he still has a good relationship with Ralf Rangnick: "Of course, I watch the matches, I'm at the campus from time to time, but I have no contact with the senior team players."

"Circumstances disappointing"

However, the manner in which the split took place will continue to occupy the former sporting director's mind. He received the initial notification of his rather abrupt dismissal from ÖFB supervisory board chairman Josef Pröll and his vice president, after media speculation had already run rife: "Looking back on the circumstances, it was simply a disappointment how it all played out."

Nevertheless, after two months of reflection, Schöttel looks back positively on his total of nine years as ÖFB sporting director: "It was a very exciting and thrilling time. Not an easy position, because so many different interests collide. I think that together with my team, we handled that well."

In retrospect, regarding the substantive work during his tenure, the 59-year-old would "fundamentally change very little." Together, they "implemented many projects and certainly moved the association forward."

"More self-promotion would have been good"

However, in processing recent weeks, one issue has given him food for thought. "Maybe on one or two occasions, a bit more self-promotion would have been good. But that's just not the kind of guy I am," the former sporting director said, defending his approach.

When asked whether that was a decisive factor in the parting of ways, Schöttel said: "That was somewhat hinted at between the lines."

New sporting director could also be a former footballer

Meanwhile, the search for a new sporting director continues. A number of former footballers are reported to have applied in particular. The ÖFB intends to make the personnel decision alongside external consultants and has outlined a specific profile of requirements for the future role.

This calls for an individual who brings, among other things, "many years of management and leadership qualities, as well as entrepreneurial thinking and commercial acumen."

"That was also in my job profile nine years ago," Schöttel notes. Nevertheless, a former professional footballer should also be able to take up the future post: "I certainly think that the ÖFB will present an exciting personality following this process."