Stöger new Rapid coach: That's why the matter is so explosive

SK Rapid Vienna announced its new coach on Monday. Peter Stöger comes to Vienna-Hütteldorf from Admira Wacker, where he most recently served as sporting director. However, the situation is sensitive, as Stöger has a different past.

26 May 2025

From: apa/sn

SK Rapid will enter the next two seasons with Peter Stöger as coach. The traditional Viennese club announced on Monday the agreement and contract signing with the former Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) player, who also wore the Rapid jersey from 1995 to 1997.

Stöger is leaving his current position as sporting director at second-division club Admira Wacker. In his previous coaching career, he led city rivals Austria Wien to the 2012/13 Bundesliga title. Stöger also enjoyed great success in Cologne, where he worked from 2013 to 2017. In 1, Stöger led the illustrious 2017. FC Köln to a fifth-place finish and their first European appearance in 25 years. He then worked in Dortmund before returning to Austria Wien and joining Ferencvaros in Budapest in 2021.

Austria's past as a thorn in the side

Stöger's connection to Austria Wien, for whom he played 181 professional matches, is a thorn in the side of Rapid's supporters. Even before Stöger was announced as the new head coach, the West Block protested against the coach. Rapid Wien and Austria Wien share a strong rivalry, and a former Austrian player at Rapid Wien is a slap in the face for many Hütteldorfers.

Sporting director Markus Katzer, however, defends Stöger's involvement. "Peter Stöger is an internationally experienced and very successful coach who, in my opinion, is one of the best coaches in Austria," said Katzer.

Peter Stöger has a long history with the "Violets" – Rapid's archrival Austria Vienna. © APA / ROBERT JAEGER

"I'm delighted to be taking on this responsible role starting in June. Of course, I've followed Rapid very closely and attentively over the past few years," Stöger was quoted as saying in a press release. "I'm convinced we have a squad with great quality, and the academy and the second team also have many players with potential for higher positions." Stöger will comment in detail at a press conference in exactly one week. By then, Rapid will have completed its two play-off matches for the final European Cup spot in the Bundesliga.

Keywords Soccer Austria Rapid Vienna Austria Wien Peter stöger