Women's National Team Coach Søndergaard: "I Have a Big Wish for the ÖFB"

ÖFB women's national team coach Lars Søndergaard wants a women's U23 national team.

The Dane stated this in an interview with the "Salzburger Nachrichten". "I have a big wish for the ÖFB: I want a U23 team, as already exists in many nations," said the 67-year-old.

Women's football is developing rapidly, and the jump from youth teams is greater today. For exceptional talents – Søndergaard specifically mentions Valentina Pötzl from Wiener Austria – this is not a problem, but for everyone else, an intermediate step is needed.

International Preview

While U19 talents get playing time at their clubs, they should also get an idea of what it takes internationally, according to Søndergaard. "Therefore, we must invest and establish an additional national team within the ÖFB.

The coach praised the St. Pölten Academy, calling it a model example. Large clubs like Red Bull Salzburg and Austria Wien also take on significant responsibility in player development. However, more depth is needed, according to Søndergaard. "It's moving in a good direction, but good youth coaches are also important."