Wacker President Rauch: “We are not a lobster and caviar club”

Back then, FC Wacker had no players, no money and no prospects. Four years and 3 promotions later, the people of Innsbruck are in touch back in the 2nd league.

Has the way up President Hannes Rauch took part in the summer of 2022 in the middle of chaos Ascension squad has taken over.

KURIER: If someone had told you in the summer of 2022 that FC Wacker would be back in the Bundesliga in 2026, then…

Hannes Rauch: …I would have answered: Someone is dreaming of warm ice lollies. At that point, the sporting perspective was secondary. It was just about keeping the club alive. It was a fight for economic survival, we were in need of restructuring. We didn’t know what would happen next with FC Wacker. It was already hara-kiri.

Why did you even get involved in it back then?

Because I thought it would be a shame for this club forever. If a club like FC Wacker disappears from the scene, it would be a crime against Austrian football. It was important to me that FC Wacker survived the next few weeks. And if no one had been found, the club would probably have gone bankrupt.

Every day another bomb exploded

How did you tackle this mission?

The first few weeks were just about getting a financial overview. There was no accounting for the previous months, there were no documents. Every day a different bomb exploded, culminating in house searches. We had the sword of Damocles of liquidity hanging over us.

What gave you confidence back then?

I can still remember our first league game in Kirchbichl. There were 1,000 fans there and you could see what power this club has. I saw light at the end of the tunnel in December 2022 when FC Bayern called and the partnership with Los Angeles FC was formed.

What made fifth division club FC Wacker so interesting for FC Bayern and Los Angeles FC?

The tradition of the club, the location in the middle of Europe, the stadium, and above all the potential that lies within FC Wacker. We are extremely lucky with this partnership.

How would the club do without this partnership and without the money from LA?

If we hadn’t managed to get rid of the debt, then we would have had to start in the lowest class, like Austria Salzburg or GAK. The club would certainly be able to survive without Los Angeles, but we would be a long way from being a top team in the regional league. Not to mention plans for the Bundesliga. That would be utopian without LA.

Some claim that the years in the lowlands of amateur football have not done any harm to FC Wacker.

I see it that way too. That was good for the club: driving across Tyrol, organizing football festivals on the pitches, creating a positive atmosphere – that was important and good for the image of FC Wacker. A certain degree of down-to-earthness doesn’t hurt this club. We are not a lobster and caviar club. What you could quickly see was that the club was moving, and in a certain way Football Tyrol was longing for FC Wacker.

What is FC Wacker’s reputation like today?

For me, it always has significance who comes to the stadium: the mayor is a regular guest, and state politicians are also there regularly. That wasn’t always the case. We suddenly have inquiries from the Tyrolean economy again. The cup game against Rapid was a game changer and gave the club a lot of tailwind. And we have to keep it that way. The club has rarely had such a consistent phase as now.

What’s next in the 2nd league?

The 2nd league will be a little different. We won’t win 22 of the first 22 games. In the last three seasons, promotion was always the clear goal, we won’t talk about that now. But of course we are aiming for the top 5. And if one of the favorites falters, we want to be there. It’s no big deal to be in the second division for two years. We have to grow organically again as a club. These giant leaps are not always healthy.

What budget is FC Wacker going into the 2nd league with?

We are currently planning for 6 million euros. Los Angeles has increased the subsidies. There is a lot going on in the sponsor sector, so we will scratch the million mark with the Tyrolean companies. Our VIP boxes are practically sold out. We have enormous planning security, which is reassuring. Generally speaking, we would rather pay the bills a week early than three days late.

There is always criticism from some Wacker fans about the structure with Los Angeles FC. Can you understand that?

If you want to be involved in paid football, you will need a financially strong partner. Not everyone has to be a fan of an investor, I realize that there are also football romantics. But in the long term, those clubs that have a partner at their side will prevail in Austria. Because the income opportunities simply run out at some point and TV revenue declines. We joined this football network and are happy about it. That’s a business model, but football is a business.

On the sporting side: How ready is the team for the Bundesliga?

We are very happy with the team and are certainly already at second division level. But of course there will be changes in the summer. And we’re not talking about two or three people, but several. We want and have to optimize the team for next season.

Do you notice that the club also has a different standing among the players?

We are now being offered players who are just as likely to be offered to Austria Wien, Ried, Lustenau or Vienna. That’s when you realize we’re back.

What kind of goals do you set for yourself?

At the end of the day, of course, sporting success counts. But for me the economics are paramount. Because this club can’t afford one more belly spot, then it’s over. If you march three times in 20 years, you no longer have any credibility.

Finally: How should FC Wacker fare on its 120th anniversary in 2033?

In terms of image, we want to be the Tyrolean football club that has its rightful place in the Austrian Bundesliga. And I can certainly imagine that by then we will have had a taste of international success again. The goal is not to be in the second division for five years, we want to develop further and play a role in the Bundesliga in the medium term. FC Wacker belongs there.