Lainer makes it clear:
“Rapid has to be left as it is”
He is a legend in Salzburg and Hütteldorf - ahead of today's league clash, Leo Lainer talks about the dominance of the "provincial club", why Green-White should only copy Red Bull in sporting terms and what he is grateful to team boss Rangnick for.
"It's not just bitter for Rapid, but for both Viennese clubs, when a provincial club has dominated the league for years." Leo Lainer is "allowed" to say it so directly, to call the serial champions that. He was born in Salzburg, but is a legend in the city of Mozart AND in Hütteldorf. With Rapid, the running machine on the right flank won seven (!) titles in the 1980s, and with Salzburg (albeit the purple Austria) he also became champion three times in the 1990s. "And twice with Tirol," winks the 63-year-old.
At the time, it was unimaginable for him that Rapid could not win 21 games in a row against Salzburg. Now that is the reality. The green and white have been waiting for a "three-pointer" away from home since 2015 (!). "But now the chance is there, Thursday was a crack, Sturm had more bite," Lainer believes that the Struber squad's cup exit could be helpful for Rapid today. "But Red Bull are always the favorites."
Lainer only ever talks about Red Bull when referring to the champions. And not in a derogatory way, on the contrary: "I was employed there for 14 years. Red Bull is simply a power. They have the most money, the best squad. They will be champions again now."
"Hats off to the Buam"
And Rapid? "They should get three or four good players. They're trying it out with the youngsters, want to copy Red Bull. The path with the youngsters is the right one. But they have to let the players go for one or two million euros after a good season. They are lagging behind Red Bull." The 28-time former international believes that two current Rapid players would also look good for the serial champions: "Marco Grüll definitely, but Querfeld could also play for Red Bull."
And Lainer praises the signature of coach Robert Klauß: "Something is in the making, but you need patience. They have the chance to win a title in the cup, that would be important for the club. Then maybe a big sponsor will jump on board." Postscript: "But Rapid has to be left as it is. The club is a living tradition, and the fans demand that too."
What he doesn't like about Red Bull: "You can't forget about your own players. The fans also want to see Austrians, Salzburgers."
Lainer himself will skip today's league hit: "I'm watching Gladbach against Wolfsburg on TV." Sure, his son Stefan Lainer. The dad's heart is beating faster after his junior overcame cancer. "I take my hat off to the boy. It almost happened a little too quickly for me." He is referring to the comeback, which now also gives him a realistic chance of playing in the EURO - for which Lainer senior is also grateful to team boss Rangnick: "The fact that he recently brought him into the squad has also done him good inside."
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