Together Through Highs and Lows: Looking Back on the 2025/26 Season
Before we fully turn our attention to the future and prepare to attack the new season with renewed determination, it is worth taking one final look back at a campaign that was challenging on the pitch but also filled with memorable moments. It was a season that began with promise, became difficult at times, and ultimately ended with renewed hope for what lies ahead.
A Football Celebration at Hohe Warte
Friday, 8 August 2025, 8:30 PM. Floodlights, a sold-out crowd, and a fantastic atmosphere at Hohe Warte. In the second round of the ADMIRAL 2. Liga, Vienna welcomed Austria Salzburg.
Following victories in the cup against SV Tillmitsch and SV Stripfing, the Döbling side aimed to complete a perfect start to the season—and they delivered.
The traditional fixture turned into a true football celebration. Bernhard Luxbacher opened the scoring before Benjamin Rosenberger thrilled the home supporters with a direct free-kick. Bernhard Zimmermann sealed the 3–0 victory and an ideal start to the campaign.
However, just a few days later, it became clear that the season would not be an easy one. Away to SKN St. Pölten, Vienna suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat after conceding in stoppage time. A draw against FC Liefering followed, along with a cup exit against Amstetten and a 1–1 home draw with Austria Lustenau.
A Familiar Face Returns
After five league matches, Vienna had fallen short of expectations. As a result, the club parted ways with coaching duo Mehmet Sütcü and Aleksandar Gitsov.
Hans Kleer, a familiar face in Döbling, subsequently returned to the club. The championship-winning coach took over the team during a difficult sporting period and introduced fresh ideas and impulses. At the same time, a number of young players were brought closer to the first team and integrated into the senior squad.
Despite these changes, performances remained inconsistent. Strong displays were repeatedly followed by disappointing setbacks, preventing the team from making a sustained climb up the table.
In November, another difficult personnel decision followed as the club ended its collaboration with Sporting Director Andreas Ivanschitz.
The autumn campaign concluded with a goalless draw against Austria Salzburg—a fitting end to a first half of the season that undoubtedly fell short of expectations in Döbling.
Giving up, however, was never an option.
During the winter break, head coach Hans Kleer and his staff worked intensively to reshape the squad for the second half of the season. Six players departed while four new signings arrived, marking an important first step in the rebuilding process.
The Vienna Family Defies the Snow
Preparations for the spring campaign progressed promisingly, and the team appeared well prepared. Nothing seemed to stand in the way of the opening match against St. Pölten—until severe winter weather gripped Vienna.
Around 20 February 2026, the city was buried under heavy snowfall. Numerous matches throughout Vienna and the surrounding region were postponed.
At Hohe Warte, however, the true spirit of the Vienna Family was on full display.
Fans, employees, coaches, officials, sponsors, academy players, and a team from Jugend am Werk worked side by side for hours to make the pitch playable. More than 400 tonnes of snow were cleared from the field.
Thanks to this extraordinary collective effort, the match went ahead as scheduled, and Vienna celebrated a 2–1 victory over the league leaders.
20 February 2026 was one of those special days that perfectly illustrated what makes this club unique—a genuine highlight in an otherwise challenging season.
A New Sporting Director
Following the successful start to the spring campaign, the vacant Sporting Director position was also filled.
Didi Elsneg, who had previously served in the same role at GAK, took over responsibility for the club’s sporting operations.
Strong Performances in Spring
Vienna showed a different face during the spring season.
The winter signings adapted quickly, while several academy graduates and young talents were given opportunities to prove themselves.
Among the standout moments were the impressive 3–0 away victory over promotion contender Austria Lustenau and the 1–0 triumph over FAC in the latest edition of “El Danubio.”
The team looked significantly more stable, delivered a series of strong performances, and demonstrated that the disappointing autumn campaign had largely been overcome—even though occasional setbacks still occurred.
By the end of the season, the Döbling side finished seventh in the final standings. Looking exclusively at matches played during the 2026 calendar year, Vienna ranked fourth in the ADMIRAL 2. Liga.
Unity as the Greatest Strength
The 2025/26 season presented the club with major challenges. Expectations were high, and not all of them could be fulfilled. Difficult decisions had to be made—decisions that were never easy for anyone involved.
At the same time, this season also highlighted what defines the Vienna Family above all else: unity.
Whether home or away, in sunshine or snowfall, in successful moments or difficult times, Vienna stands together.
Thank you, dear Vienna Family, for your incredible support at every single match throughout the season.
We look forward to seeing you again next season and welcoming you back to Hohe Warte.
