RB Salzburg’s Sports Director: Young Talents Thrive in Austria More Than in Major Leagues

In an interview with Flashscore, RB Salzburg’s sporting director Rouven Schröder emphasised that young Scandinavian players are often better positioned to hone their skills in the Austrian Bundesliga rather than joining a larger club too soon in their careers.

Over the past decade, the Austrian Bundesliga has evolved into an ideal environment for young Scandinavian talents eager to refine their abilities, paving the way for moves to one of Europe’s premier leagues.

Currently, five talented Danish players are thriving in the Austrian Bundesliga, and Schröder commended Scandinavians for their professionalism and work ethic. He urges Nordic clubs to keep sending players to Salzburg, which benefits everyone involved:

“We have a rich history with Scandinavian players in Salzburg, and our experiences have been quite positive. They are dedicated, professional, and fully committed to our club, which is beneficial for all parties,” Schröder stated.

Today, young talents are frequently presented with opportunities to join major clubs, where expectations may be far higher than those in Austria. Before recent additions such as Maurits Kjaergaard, Adam Daghim, and Mads Bidstrup, Norwegian star Erling Haaland used his time at RB Salzburg to excel before making a significant leap to Borussia Dortmund.

“In many instances, it is absolutely beneficial for young, gifted players to avoid moving to a large league immediately. Our experiences at FC Red Bull Salzburg with players like Erling Haaland, Karim Adeyemi, and Dominik Szoboszlai confirm this,” Schröder remarked.

“The boys can grow in a calmer environment with excellent facilities, encountering less pressure, while also having the chance to compete for titles early on. This environment allows them to make mistakes, learn from them, and improve. When they show progress, we provide pathways for them to transition to bigger clubs—even amidst long-term contracts.” said Rouven Schröder.

Players like Rasmus Hojlund and Mika Biereth have found the Austrian Bundesliga and clubs like Sturm Graz to be excellent stepping stones towards lucrative contracts with Manchester United and AS Monaco respectively. Schröder believes that such high-profile transfers will likely inspire more young players to consider the Austrian Bundesliga as a viable route to achieving their professional ambitions.

“These players serve as remarkable role models. Their stories resonate and create vivid imagery for aspiring talents. When these young players train with us and then secure moves to top clubs, it certainly aids our efforts in attracting more talent. Without such examples, it becomes significantly harder to persuade players to join us,” he added.

Schröder also highlighted the commonalities in mentality and playing style between Denmark and Austria, which can ease the transition for young players adapting to new cultures and clubs. Moreover, the Champions League outfit actively supports young Scandinavians in settling into life in Salzburg.

“I believe the two leagues can be quite comparable in terms of overall strength. Both feature several top clubs that consistently compete for the title, enhancing the overall quality. This makes the transition from Denmark to Austria smooth, as the level of play is familiar.”

“At FC Red Bull Salzburg, we pride ourselves on being a multicultural club with players from 14 different countries. Thus, it’s crucial that we offer support beyond the pitch and assist our players with personal matters, facilitating their comfort in Salzburg.”

Currently, RB Salzburg sits in third place in the Austrian Bundesliga and will take on Blau-Weiß Linz on Sunday in their league campaign.