Janko: "Almost ended up at Rapid"

For the first time since the World Cup, Andreas Herzog and Marc Janko return to the podcast microphone.

Before the two former national team players, on "HERZERL mit JANKO," discuss topics including Gianni Infantino, Jürgen Klopp's start at the DFB, and the beginning of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga season, Janko provides insight into a failed move to SK Rapid.

"I almost ended up at Rapid once," the former striker reveals. The deal back then fell through due to Josef Hickersberger's denial: "Josef Hickersberger then said, we don't need him."

Hickersberger Rejects Janko

However, Janko was not yet widely known at that time: "That was before I went to Salzburg. I was looking for alternatives back then," explains the 43-year-old.

After a somewhat meager offer from Admira for a contract extension, "I had Rapid contacted via an intermediary. 'Hicki' then replied: No need. Then Salzburg eventually got in touch and I went to Salzburg."

However, the former Austrian international bears no grudge.

"Rapid Must Put Excuses Aside"

Also discussed was Herzog's fiery speech after SK Rapid's match against Altach.

Herzog rages against Rapid: "Then it's better to be eliminated" >>>

The "Sky" expert was angered by the statements from goal scorer Petter Nosa Dahl, coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, and several other players, who attributed Rapid's weak second half to the high workload at the start of the season.

In the podcast, the former Rapid player elaborates once more:

If they want and need to be more successful again, then they have to put the excuses aside. [...] I thought to myself, I won't accept that now. In the first round - yes, the brutal heat, heavy legs - but can't you even overcome heavy legs nowadays?", Herzog wonders.

Janko: "Fitness Issue at Rapid"

He elaborates: "I can't hear it anymore. They just rotate, rotate - then they have a 34-man squad, they rotate to keep everyone happy. But don't tell the players that if they're a bit tired, they have to be substituted."

Janko also addresses the physical development at the record champions: "How long have we actually been talking about Rapid having a fitness issue, that they feel, the longer the game lasts, they can't step up in the later stages?"

According to Janko, the Rapid players may have said that they had four games in eleven days at over 30 degrees Celsius. However, he doesn't want to accept that as an excuse. "When such statements come right in the first Bundesliga game, it's already puzzling."

Watch the entire HERZERL mit JANKO episode here: