Mathias Theiner is about to make his professional comeback with Austria Salzburg.

Theiner with Austria Salzburg about to make a professional comeback

Mathias Theiner and his Austria Salzburg team will have to wait a few more days, then the traditional club's return to professional football should be complete.

28 May 2025

From: cst

Three matchdays remain in the Regionalliga West (comprising teams from North Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and Salzburg). On Thursday, when Austria celebrates Ascension Day, Austria Salzburg will face Wals-Grünau in a derby. Theoretically, captain Mathias Theiner and his team could already celebrate the title then – but that would require a slip-up from second-placed Imst.

It's more likely that Salzburg will be able to celebrate this weekend in Dornbirn, or at the latest on the final matchday at home against Schwaz. This would complete their return to Austria's second division. It would be the club's second professional comeback since the club had to be re-founded in 2 following the takeover by Red Bull.

License issues resolved

Austria Wien already dabbled in the 2. Bundesliga last year, but was denied a license. Since then, they've improved their infrastructure, meaning nothing stands in the way of promotion to the professional ranks. This would not only fulfill the dream of many Austria Wien fans, but also Theiner's.

The Upper Vinschgau native has been aiming for a professional career for years. Last year, he was on the verge of leaving Salzburg for good, but after a trial, he decided not to sign with second-division side Kapfenberg. Now, promotion should be on the cards. Theiner has been a fixture in central defense for the Violets from the City of Mozart for years and is an indispensable part of the team.