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Austria sack head coach

28/09/2005

The Austrian Football Federation (OFB) has today sacked its national team's head coach Hans Krankl.

Described almost unanimously as Austria's greatest ever player, Krankl led his country on the field to its first World Cup in 20 years in 1978.

But the one-time Barcelona player failed to repeat his heroics from the dugout and saw his Austrian side fail in its bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Krankl had one month left on his contract but the OFB decided not to renew his deal and chose instead to remove him from the position before the official end of his tenure.

Josef Hickersberger, the current boss of Rapid Vienna, is set to replace him and is expected to be in charge when Austria play England in their World Cup qualifier on October 8th.

"I'm naturally disappointed. I wish my successor all the best," Krankl said.

OFB president Friedrich Stickler added: "I am sure Josef Hickersberger is the ideal man to prepare the team for the big goal of Euro 2008 at home.

"I would like to thank Hans Krankl for his work and I wish him the best in the future."

Austria co-host Euro 2008 with Switzerland.

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