Leo Windtner / Photo: GEPA pictures
Leo Windtner does not take part in the search for his successor as President of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). The 70-year-old made this clear on Tuesday at a press conference as part of the national team squad announcement. “The subject of my successor is not up to me, and I will not comment on it,” said the 70-year-old.
On August 6, Windtner announced that he would no longer be available as head of the country's largest sports association. The new president will be determined at the Ordinary General Meeting on October 17th, and the election committee will decide on a candidate beforehand. Burgenland's association boss Gerhard Milletich and ex-Rapid presidential candidate Roland Schmid were recently brought into play as possible contenders.
For Windtner, who has been in office since 2009, there was no sufficient Presidium support for another term of office. “It was always clear to me – if there is comprehensive support, I will do it again, if not, I will not campaign,” said Windtner and also emphasized: “I am not leaving in bitterness, but with a thoroughly satisfactory record and I am very interested in the fact that things will continue to be even more successful after me. “
There is no room for sentimentality or disappointment. “A clear decision is always better than dragging things off,” emphasized Windtner. “After twelve years it is legitimate to say I have done my job. It is time to change the generation.” The Upper Austrian has “a personal opinion that I will not articulate in public” about the possibility that the ÖFB will be run by a paid president in the future.
Windtner was more willing to provide information in connection with the contribution that the ÖFB wants to make to climate protection in the future. “It is the clear objective of the ÖFB to continuously improve our CO2 balance,” said the head of the association. As a first symbolic sign, the ÖFB will plant 500 trees “in the near future”, says Windtner – 100 trees for every goal scored at the last European Championship.
