Austria have named Dietmar Constantini as their new national coach in place of Karel Bruckner.
Experienced coach chosen to replace Bruckner
Austria have named Dietmar Constantini as their new national coach in place of Karel Bruckner.
The 53-year-old was the Austrian Football Federation's first choice after Bruckner left on Monday following a string of poor results in World Cup qualifying.
Constantini - who was interim national coach for three matches in 1991 as well as assistant between 1991-93 and from 1999 until 2001- is delighted to now step into the top job on a full-time basis.
"It's a great honour and a huge responsibility for a coach to manage the national team of his country," said Constantini, whose first game in charge will be against Romania on 1st April.
Challenge
"Of course, the team is in a difficult situation now but that's a challenge you have to face."
Previous boss Bruckner took over after co-hosts Austria were knocked out of last year's Euro 2008 finals at the group stage.
He enjoyed a dream start to their Group 7 World Cup qualifying campaign as his side beat France 3-1.
But Austria then lost to Lithuania and Serbia and drew with the Faroe Islands, meaning it is now highly unlikely that they will qualify for South Africa 2010.
A former boss of Austria Vienna, Constantini is Austria's seventh coach since the team last reached the World Cup finals in 1998.
He will be assisted by Manfred Zsak, who was previously coach of Austria's under-21 team.
