Austria's most successful club SK Rapid from the capital city of Vienna will, on the 18th of November, enter into a new era. Following twelve years as President, the one time Austrian Finance Minister Rudolph Edlinger is as planned, stepping down from his position. Successful Economic Manager Michael Krammer, who campaigned with his seven point plan, has been voted in as new President by the clubs members.  The 53 year old Krammer has enjoyed long term success in his previous position as CEO of mobile communications giant Orange, and convinced the Club's Members with his engaging concept, at the heart of which lies seven concrete projects: the outsourcing of financial operations to a non-listed company, the new stadium build on the current legendary site in the Vienna district of Huetteldorf, the establishment of new sales and marketing models, the medium term goal of acquiring 10,000 new members, the furthering of the clubs engagement with its members through increased transparency, an offensive in the field of mobile services and social media, as well as opening the Club up internationally. In order to reach the Club's medium term on field goals, which include breaking into Europe's top 50 clubs through regular participation in the Group Stages of UEFA competitions, the current operating deficit should be cleared as quickly as possible and income from domestic markets increased to allow for a balancing of the accounts not dependent upon participation in European competitions. Michael Krammer's Presidential Team includes economic and financial expert Martin Bruckner (49 years old, Board Member Allianz Investementbank AG), media professional Bernd Fisa (42 Media Consultant for FIFA), business economist Erich Haider (69 long term ex-Chairman of Rapid sponsor Wien Energie), restaurateur Gerhard Höckner (53 his company "Pizza On Tour" is the long term sponsor of the Rapid Reserves), businessman Josef Kamper (46 as owner of the car dealership VW Camper a long loyal partner of SK Rapid), city politician Christoph Peschek (30, Member of Parliament and the federal Capital Vienna) and lawyer Nikolaus Rosenauer (45 since 2001 as expert for all legal matters in the Rapid Executive Committee).SK Rapid is Austria's most successful and best supported Club, having won the domestic championship on 32 occasions and having lifted the Austrian Cup 14 times. The "Green & Whites" have on two occasions reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup, in 1985 and 1996. This season the Viennese sit second in the Austrian top-flight and are currently battling in the group phase of the UEFA Europa-League for the fourth time in the previous five seasons.
18.11.2013