Football Season Guide

Rapid have handed the Austrian footballing public the biggest surprise of the summer so far, as the Green-Whites have opted against extending the contract of their manager Zoran Barisic, despite finishing second and spending the winter break in Europe for the first time in more than two decades. The new manager of the Green-Whites is Mike Buskens, who is set for his first managerial adventure in Austria, and will be expected to repeat's Rapid's last season's league campaign and finish second. This will not be easy, as the Green-Whites have lost no less than three starters in Thanos Petsos, Florian Kainz and Stefan Stangl. However, the signings of Arnor Traustason, Christoph Schosswendter and Philipp Malicsek look rather promising, while the man under the biggest spoglight will be new boy Joelinton, as Rapid have been crying out for a reliable striker since Robert Beric's departure to Hertha, and the former Hoffenheim man will be expected to deliver goals. Another man to watch is Matej Jelic, who has had an underwhelming time with the Green-Whites since joining following Beric's departure, but has had glimpses of brilliance and will now have an opportunity to rescue his Rapid career. All in all, Rapid clearly look to be among the best three sides in the league, but their ultimate fate will depend on both the gelling of new signings and Buskens's ability or lack thereof to crack the Bundesliga.