Ralf Rangnick proposes investor-funded stadium for Austria
Austrian football team coach Ralf Rangnick and theater director Michael Sturminger appear in the premiere episode of the ORF video podcast “DAS GESPRÄCH Schnabl &” launching October 25, 2026, discussing national pride, sports infrastructure, and upcoming artistic collaborations.
Susanne Schnabl Hosts Three-Part Multimedia Project on Austria
The three-part multimedia project hosted by Susanne Schnabl broadcasts around the Austrian national holiday in an era of political polarization, offering discussions about the country, its people, and its political reality viewed from external perspectives. ORF 2 airs the first episode on October 25, 2026, following its release on ORF ON, while audio versions stream on sound.ORF.at and major podcast platforms. Subsequent episodes feature Franz Vranitzky alongside Anneliese Rohrer on October 26, and Adele Neuhauser paired with Harald Krassnitzer on November 1.
Alexander Sattmann, head of editorial for current political discussions and magazines at ORF, noted that the project creates a high-quality podcast format enabling deep conversations with renowned figures from politics, art, and sport. Susanne Schnabl stated that the concept of a discussion with expanded room and time beyond daily headlines to explore broader questions has accompanied her for a long time.
During the opening episode, Ralf Rangnick addresses why he dislikes losing and argues that Austria needs to think on a larger scale regarding sports infrastructure. Proposing a new stadium or event arena that would cost taxpayers zero euros, Rangnick stated that three to four investors stand ready to completely take over the arena project. Regarding potential heritage protection concerns, Rangnick remarked that the Ernst Happel Stadium is not the Colosseum in Rome. Rangnick discusses what society can learn from a locker room environment and points toward a positive national pride alongside Jürgen Klopp.
Theater Collaboration in Salzburg
Beyond sports administration, Rangnick reveals details in the podcast regarding his upcoming theater collaboration with “Jedermann” director Michael Sturminger for productions in Salzburg next year. The conversation spans beyond their immediate professional domains to examine cultural identity and societal structures from an external viewpoint.
