Hans Krankl


Johann "Hans" Krankl is a retired Austrian footballer. A prolific striker, Krankl is regarded by many as one of Austria's greatest players.

Club career

Krankl started his professional career at Rapid Wien and stayed there for 8 years, apart from a year at Wiener AC. He won the European Golden Boot at Rapid Wien in 1978, attracting the interest of Barcelona. His spell at Barcelona was successful, winning the Copa del Rey in his first season as well as the Cup Winners' Cup, and picking up the top goalscorer's award in La Liga that season with 29 goals. He returned to Rapid Wien in 1981, captaining the side and again scoring over 100 goals for them over the next 5 years. He played a major part in the most successful of Rapid teams in the 1980s, claiming the League crown twice, in 1982 and 1983, and three consecutive Austrian cup titles. He scored Rapid's only goal in the 3-1 loss in the Cup Winners' Cup Final in 1985 against Everton. In 1986, he moved to become player-manager at Wiener Sport-Club.
Krankl was named Austrian Player of the Year a record five times, and was voted the most popular Austrian player of the last 25 years.

International career

Krankl made his debut for Austria in a June 1973 friendly match against Brazil and was a participant at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups. He earned 69 caps, scoring 34 goals. His final international game was an April 1985 World Cup qualification match against Hungary. In the 1978–79 season of the Spanish Primera División, he was the top goalscorer with 29 goals for Barcelona and was awarded the Pichichi Trophy.
One of his major achievements was helping Austria qualify for the 1978 World Cup, the first time Austria had qualified for the World Cup in twenty years. He then went on to score the winning goal against West Germany in a game dubbed The miracle of Córdoba, which the Austrians won 3–2 and which was Austria's first win against West Germany in 47 years, earning Krankl legendary status in his homeland. Scored in the 88th minute, the live footage of the goal still regularly features on national television, and the audio commentary is immediately recognised by Austrian football fans.

Managerial career

Since ending his playing career at Austria Salzburg in 1989, Krankl has worked as a football manager and coach. He was employed by the Austrian national team. He was sacked on 28 September 2005 after Austria failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. He was also manager of LASK Linz.
He has also intermittently featured as a studio guest and co–commentator on Austrian public service broadcaster ORF.

Musical career

Krankl has also enjoyed domestic success with his music, with several releases entering the Austrian charts. His biggest musical success was the single "Lonely Boy", released in 1985 and peaking at number 2.

Appearances

Krankl has also appeared on EA Sports FIFA sports games, as he is included as an unlockable in the Classic XI Team.

Career statistics

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.27 March 1974De Kuip, Rotterdam1–01–1Friendly
2.4 September 1974Praterstadion, Vienna2–12–1Euro 1976 qualifier
3.28 September 1974Praterstadion, Vienna1–01–0Friendly
4.16 March 1975Stade Municipal, Luxembourg2–12–1Euro 1976 qualifier
5.24 September 1975Népstadion, Budapest1–21–2Euro 1976 qualifier
6.15 October 1975Praterstadion, Vienna2–26–2Euro 1976 qualifier
7.15 October 1975Praterstadion, Vienna5–26–2Euro 1976 qualifier
8.22 September 1976Linzer Stadion, Linz1–03–1Friendly
9.13 October 1976Praterstadion, Vienna1–24–2Friendly
10.13 October 1976Praterstadion, Vienna2–24–2Friendly
11.10 November 1976Anthi Karagianni Stadium, Kavala2–03–0Friendly
12.5 December 1976Empire Stadium, Gżira1–01–01978 World Cup qualifier
13.15 December 1976National Stadium, Ramat Gan3–13–1Friendly
14.30 April 1977Stadion Lehen, Salzburg1–09–01978 World Cup qualifier
15.30 April 1977Stadion Lehen, Salzburg2–09–01978 World Cup qualifier
16.30 April 1977Stadion Lehen, Salzburg3–09–01978 World Cup qualifier
17.30 April 1977Stadion Lehen, Salzburg4–09–01978 World Cup qualifier
18.30 April 1977Stadion Lehen, Salzburg6–09–01978 World Cup qualifier
19.30 April 1977Stadion Lehen, Salzburg8–09–01978 World Cup qualifier
20.24 August 1977Praterstadion, Vienna2–02–1Friendly
21.15 February 1978Nea Filadelfeia Stadium, Athens1–11–1Friendly
22.3 June 1978José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires2–12–11978 World Cup
23.7 June 1978José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires1–01–01978 World Cup
24.21 June 1978Estadio Chateau Carreras, Córdoba2–13–21978 World Cup
25.21 June 1978Estadio Chateau Carreras, Córdoba3–23–21978 World Cup
26.30 August 1978Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo2–02–0Euro 1980 qualifier
27.28 March 1979Parc Astrid, Brussels1–11–1Euro 1980 qualifier
28.29 August 1979Praterstadion, Vienna4–04–0Euro 1980 qualifier
29.17 October 1979Hampden Park, Glasgow1–01–1Euro 1980 qualifier
30.15 November 1980Praterstadion, Vienna5–05–01982 World Cup qualifier
3128 May 1981Praterstadion, Vienna1–02–01982 World Cup qualifier
32.17 June 1981Linzer Stadion, Linz3–03–01982 World Cup qualifier
33.24 March 1982Népstadion, Budapest1–03–2Friendly
34.21 June 1982Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo2–02–01982 World Cup

Honours

Club

;Rapid Wien
;Barcelona