Wolfsberger AC: The Austrian Football Team
| Team Name: | Wolfsberger Athletic Club |
|---|---|
| Championships Won: | 0 |
| Owner: | Mag. Dietmar Riegler |
| City: | Wolfsberg |
| Country: | Austria |
| Mascot: | The Wolves |
| Stadium: | Lavanttal-Arena |
| Team Website: | https://www.rzpelletswac.at/ |
Overview of the Team
Wolfsberger Athletic Club, commonly known as WAC, is an Austrian football team based in Wolfsberg, Carinthia. The team was founded in 1931 and has been fighting its way through the ranks of Austrian football ever since. Currently, they play in the Austrian Football Bundesliga, the top tier of professional football in Austria.
Although WAC has never won a championship in the top tier, they have a reputation for putting up tough fights against the more established teams. Their strong performance in recent years has earned them a solid fanbase and respect among football enthusiasts.
History of the Team
Wolfsberger Athletic Club was founded in 1931 in the small town of Wolfsberg, Carinthia. The team initially played in lower divisions of Austrian football, gradually working their way up to the professional ranks in the 21st century.
In 2007, WAC won the Erste Liga title, which earned them a promotion to the Austrian Football Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Although they were relegated back down to the second division after only a season, they returned to the top tier in 2012 and have remained a fixture ever since.
Notable Players
As a relatively young team, WAC has not yet produced players of international fame or acclaim. However, some of the more notable players to have played for the team include Boris Hüttenbrenner, Marcel Sabitzer, and Mario Leitgeb.
Coaches
WAC has had a number of coaches throughout its history. Notable coaches include Nenad Bjelica, who led the team to its first promotion to the Bundesliga in 2007, and Gerhard Struber, who has gone on to manage teams like Barnsley and New York Red Bulls.
Currently, Ferdinand Feldhofer serves as the head coach of WAC, having taken over in June 2020.
Most Successful Season
WAC’s most successful season to date came in the 2018-2019 season. They finished in third place in the Austrian Football Bundesliga, the highest finish in the team’s history. This earned them a spot in the UEFA Europa League for the first time, where they made it to the Round of 32 before being knocked out by Dinamo Zagreb.
Owner
Wolfsberger Athletic Club is owned by Mag. Dietmar Riegler, a businessman and politician from Wolfsberg. Riegler has been the majority stakeholder of the club since 2007 and has overseen its growth and development into a competitive force in Austrian football.
Stadium
WAC plays its home games at Lavanttal-Arena, a sports complex located in Wolfsberg. The stadium has a seating capacity of 7,300 and features modern facilities for both players and fans.
In addition to hosting WAC’s home games, Lavanttal-Arena has also been used for international matches and as a training ground for other teams.
Conclusion
Wolfsberger Athletic Club may not be a household name in the world of football, but their hard work and determination have earned them a spot among the top teams in Austria. With a loyal fanbase and a talented squad of players, WAC is poised to continue making waves in the years to come.