Kitzbichler accepts offer from Salzburg

Melbourne Victory today announced that former Austrian international, Richard Kitzbichler, would be taking up an impossible-to-refuse playing/coaching contract with Salzburg in his native Austria.

“The deal involves a very high paying contract for Richard to play for two and a half seasons, at which time he would take up an assistant coaching role with the club,” said Football Operations Manager Gary Cole.

“We cannot possibly match Salzburg’s offer, so we have given Richard our blessing to return home.”

Cole also pointed out that personal circumstances also made it difficult for Kitzbichler to stay in Melbourne.

“Richard recently married his Austrian girlfriend and as with any young couple they would like to be with their own families, so the timing is probably right for him to return.

“We’ve been very privileged to have Richard play for us in the inaugural Hyundai A-League season and he’s left an indelible mark on our club and supporters.

“It also shows how successful the Hyundai A-League has been in acting as a show case of talent. We’ve seen Archie Thompson, Chris Tadrosse and now Richard Kitzbichler all significantly further their careers after spending just one year with Melbourne Victory.

All three players are worth far more on the transfer market now than when we signed them and I think that’s a testament to the profile and professionalism of this new league.”

Kitzbichler was full of praise for Victory, identifying the coaching setup and facilities as highlights of his time in Australia. He also reserved special praise for the Melbourne crowd, which has taken the diminutive Austrian into their hearts.

“Melbourne is a very professional club and my time here has been enjoyable and productive,” Kitzbichler said.

“To play in front of such large and passionate crowds is something I would have expected in Europe, rather than half way around the world in Melbourne. It’s a great atmosphere and I feel honoured when the crowd is chanting my name. I will surely miss that.”

Richard has also been impressed with the professionalism and standard of the Hyundai A-League.

“The playing standard has surprised me, and the entire setup is very professional. If circumstances had been different, I would have loved to have extended my stay here in Melbourne. For a club which has only just been set up to have the facilities and set up, as well as the passion from the supporters, is fantastic.

However, this opportunity secures my future for the rest of my career and allows me to go back to a club I spent five seasons with in my home country. This is also a chance for me to return home to my family with my new wife, who is also from Austria, and for her to be with her family.”

Richard paid tribute to Melbourne Victory’s football department who he believes have helped improve his game to the stage of being offered a long term contract with a European club.

“The coaching staff have been very understanding about this offer and I’d like to thank them very much. Ernie and the rest of the staff have been excellent and have been very good for me and helped me improve as a player over the past season.”

Cole sees the transfer of Kitzbichler as an opportunity gained, rather than a player lost, as it allows the club to recruit another overseas talent.

“Richard is a wonderful player who has delighted the fans, but we should remember that there is a global over-supply of football talent,” Cole said.

“Richard’s departure certainly provides some space on our roster which will allow us to rejuvenate our squad for next season.

“The success of the inaugural season of the Hyundai A-League has opened up a lot of eyes around the world, not just Australians plying their trade overseas, but among international players like Claeys and Kitzbichler, who may want to travel to Australia for a lifestyle change.

“I’m certain that we’ll be able to attract an international player of high quality to replace Richard.

“Melbourne Victory has acted very responsibly from the club’s inception and we’ve crawled before we could walk, and walked before we could run. To think that we would remain stagnant in the transfer market with each passing season would be nonsensical. We are a club which is building for the future, and this means gathering strength year on year. I’d expect us to have a very competitive squad come the start of the second season of the Hyundai A-League which will compete for a place in the finals.

“We’ve already established good relations with clubs in South America and Europe and I’m confident that we’ll have the personnel next season to play a highly entertaining brand of football.”

While unable to play for Melbourne in the final game of the Hyundai A-League season, Kitzbichler will be presented to the crowd on Saturday night at Olympic Park in a gesture of goodwill before flying out to Austria on Sunday.

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