Ex-FCB star Dragovic angry about Nati’s demotion

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Dragovic was a top player at FC Basel from 2011 to 2014, celebrated four championship titles and swirled on the European stage with the Bebbi. For example, with the home win against Manchester United in the group stage of the Champions League (2011). The Austrian also attracted attention in other ways. Shortly before the trophy was handed over after the 2012 cup final, he had hit the then federal councilor Ueli Maurer on the head as a joke. It was a scene that generated much discussion in Switzerland.

The 32-year-old was not only a top player in Switzerland with FC Basel, but also with the Austrian national team for a long time. In 100 games he has brought his bones to a standstill. However, Nati’s last selection dates from March 2022, the coach at the time was Franco Foda (ex-FCZ), including Dragovic. Not so with successor Ralf Rangnick, who shaved the ex-Basel bald after taking office – not a single team!

“has a lot to do with me”

He only spoke to Ralf Rangnick once – in a 30-second phone call. “I would have liked to have been given a chance. But I just didn’t get it. The call was very disappointing and touched me,” says Dragovic of the Austrian news agency APA.

The association apparently even proposed to say goodbye. But the ÖFB offer of a farewell ceremony has so far been rejected by Dragovic. “I have only canceled once in eleven years because I had corona. I was always passionate about it. And then I get dumped like this.”

He does not want to give up and resign from the national team yet, but Dragovic knows: “The chance that I will play again is small. But that is the opinion of the team boss, I have to respect it.”

Private happiness builds it up

The former Basel player is doing better at the club. With Red Star Belgrade he is 20 points ahead of the first pursuer in the Serbian league for the play-offs. Dragovic’s eighth championship beckons.

And the 30-year-old is also lucky in his private life. Dragovic became a father for the first time three weeks ago. The son and his wife live in Vienna. Will Ösi go home soon? Pushing himself for the national team probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. But Dragovic waves it off. «If the total package fits, why not. As of today, I’d say that’s two or three years early.” (par)

Source : Blick