Little content A single slide with three points, contained in just 35 words, was presented to the Presidium on Friday. The three key points are quickly listed:
- A Three-person board instead of the two previous managing directors. This primarily means that it will be more expensive for the ÖFB.
- Secondly, this should Presidium “developed” into a supervisory board become. The following is stated: “Relocation of operational activities to the main office”. Sounds progressive, but it’s not reform. Because now only the two managing directors are authorized to sign.
- Thirdly, one Reform of the committee and commission system. The ÖFB is currently setting up several expert committees to make decisions, which are then decided by the executive board. “The commissions can be used more flexibly,” it says.
No tender
The post of the new powerful Chairman of the Board will be filled without advertising. And this for a company with an annual turnover of over 60 million euros, which is in the public interest and is supported by the public sector. Klaus Mitterdorfer confirmed on Friday after the meeting that there would be no tender. Is this the new professionalism the president is talking about?
It has also been known for a long time that… Christian Ebenbauer wants to win for the role. The fact that the Bundesliga boss is already a member of the executive committee and voted for the dismissal of the current two managing directors on Friday also creates an aftertaste.
Separation from the CEOs?
As part of the “reform” the two managing directors will be separated. However, you will not be terminated initially. Mitterdorfer was commissioned to look after the employment conditions of the Secretary General Thomas Hollerer and Bernhard Neuholdmanaging director of ÖFB Wirtschaftsbetriebe GmbH, and to “hold discussions with both of them about possible further employment in the ÖFB within the new structure.” This is a great way to sell an expulsion.
If Ebenbauer actually becomes the new chairman of the board and then brings his fellow student Thomas Hollerer back into the three-person board, the “sham package” that critics suspect of the reform would be perfect. Even if Thomas Hollerer were to simply swap places with Ebenbauer and in return take over the league as board member.
One will, not yet a way
Conclusion: We don’t really know what the Presidium agreed to on Friday when it comes to the content. There is not a single concrete version. That’s probably why the Bundesliga supervisory boards have Philip Thonhauser and Christian Jauk The “reform” was described as a “toothless tiger” at the meeting – but then approved anyway.
They agreed on a common will to change something – so that things don’t continue as before, says a meeting participant who did not want to be named. What that will ultimately be and whether the regional association presidents will actually limit their own competences remains to be seen.