Sporting Director Manuel Ortlechner takes time during the training camp for an in-depth interview about the squad composition & contract talks, as well as the exchange with the entire staff and the perspective for every Austrian to make a career in-house.

In total, there are eleven home-grown players from the Austria academy in Turkey, the average age in the training camp squad is 22.2. Is that how you envisage it as sports director?

"I have always stressed that the plan is to offer our talents a perspective, that is our way. We still have to be careful not to overdo it. The youngsters who are coming up also need seasoned players to show them what kind of lifestyle you should live as a young professional. I'm happy that we have so much talent. I also know the high potentials in the academy and at the Young Violets, because I really enjoy dealing with our talents. Basically, we already want to see a very young Austria in the future."

As a sports director, how do you use the training camp?

"I am looking forward to the next few days for several reasons. Here I have the opportunity to watch the training sessions at my leisure. I also use the training camp to talk to everyone involved - coaches, players and the entire staff - because it's very important for me to know how each individual ticks. That is a very important factor for a functioning team. We can only be successful as Austria if we have the right people for our project. Austria should be fun. Good humour is an important factor in order to be successful."

With Mark McCormick as the new co-trainer, Austria has once again hired someone from its own academy for the coaching staff. Is this a path that Austria will continue to follow in the future?

"I think it's good to use the opportunity to shape your own players over the years, but often coaches and staff are forgotten in the process. The fact that you can make a career in-house not only as a player creates a perspective for every employee. If you are good, you will not be overlooked in the future. That is our way."

Austria recently managed to extend the contract with Muki Huskovic. Is one of your main tasks at the moment to convince young players to stay a Veilchen for the long term?

"That has been my main task for a few weeks now, because there were also very intensive talks with Muki Huskovic. I can understand that his family and the management wanted to make the decision carefully. I am of the opinion that you can't really stop the boy, because he works so professionally and is also a great guy off the pitch, who can identify one hundred percent with Austria. That's why I was so pleased that he decided to stay. Hopefully his decision will have an impact on the talks we are having with other players.