Pangl in an interview:

“I am someone who will ask questions at the ÖFB”

Georg Pangl was visibly overwhelmed by his election.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Georg Pangl was visibly overwhelmed by his election: "I am someone who will ask questions at the ÖFB."

One day after being elected BFV president, Georg Pangl talks about his goals and motivations in the "Krone" newspaper.The 58-year-old replaces former referee Günter Benkö as Burgenland's "soccer boss".

Mr. President Georg Pangl-how does it feel to be called that?

Honestly? I don't really care about the title, I don't attach any importance to it. But the president is the one who is allowed to lead the board or the association and I want to do that with full commitment.

There's a lot of voluntary work and little free time - why do you do it?

It is as I have always emphasized: the discussions with more than 140 club representatives have shown me what the officials at municipal and club level are doing to themselves. I now want to do exactly that at state level, just as they run for the cause and give something back to them.

Family man Georg Pangl with his wife Sabine.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Your wife Sabine was at your side at the Annual General Meeting - how important is your family to you and to what extent was she involved in your decision to run for office?

Family is the most important thing. But soccer was already with us when we met, when I was at the ÖFB. Our sons are now 17 and 19 and have also grown up with soccer.

Your CV is well known and was also a campaign issue. But what does her past with the ÖFB, Bundesliga or UEFA do for the BFV?

Soccer is the same everywhere in terms of structure and organization. And in all modesty: if someone can organize the Champions League, then they should also be able to help shape the structure of Burgenland soccer down to the 2nd division together with the clubs. In homeopathic doses, of course, if you like - knowing that this is pure amateurism.

Critics say that Pangl only wanted to join the ÖFB presidium anyway?

I've sat on the Bundesliga board at every meeting for more than 10 years, I really don't need to do that anymore. But in the future I'll be very happy to do it to get the best out of the 151 clubs in Burgenland.

There is no reason to work against it. We have a long list of demands, so I don't think we could be divided.

BFV-Präsident Georg Pangl

You won the secret ballot 85:78. Conversely, that means that 78 clubs or board members with voting rights did not vote for you. How do you intend to pick them up, to use your own words?

With objective and successful work. We have a long list of demands, so I don't even think that we could be divided, it's all about the well-being of the clubs in terms of soccer.

Georg Pangl and Dr. Alfred Kollar were up for election.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

What will be your first steps as president?

On Monday there will be the first meeting in the office, then a structured program will be defined. And this week there will also be a meeting in Bad Tatzmannsdorf with the managing directors of all the provincial associations.

It is logical that you will first have to get an overview and take over the business from Günter Benkö - but what will the main tasks be?

Overcoming hurdles. To list individual areas would be going into too much detail. Issues such as the reserves, the AKA or a women's national league are already known.

149 of the 151 clubs entitled to vote attended the BFV Annual General Meeting.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

The first words right after your election at the KUZ in Eisenstadt were that you want to be an even more stable partner for the ÖFB in the future, but that something must also flow back-what did you mean by that specifically?

A simple example: The EURO 2024 will bring in millions for the ÖFB, but after deducting the costs and the naturally high contribution for the Bundesliga, there must also be something in it for the regional associations. Because just as the BFV is there for its clubs, the ÖFB is there for its provincial associations. I will certainly be a president who will also ask questions at the ÖFB.

Pangl wants to be a BFV president for all Burgenland clubs.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Change of subject: On Friday, you watched the Eastern League derby between Neusiedl and Oberwart, the summit of Burgenland soccer. How far away are we from a 2nd division?

A bit too far at the moment. Gerhard Horn in Oberwart, for example, is very motivated and committed - the common goal must be for Burgenland to be represented in at least the 2nd division again soon, also by the BFV and the state.

Where do you see the association in 2028 after the first four years of President Pangl?

That all issues have been dealt with objectively. You will never be able to please everyone and it will be a growing process with new tasks. But you will see that something has changed.