Walter Rautmann (born 30 August 1945) is an Austrian retired football coach and player. He has coached Mpumalanga Black Aces,[6] Dangerous Darkies,[7] Real Rovers,[8] Moroka Swallows,[9][10] Rabali Blackpool,[7] AmaZulu,[11] African Wanderers,[12] Tembisa Classic,[13][14] Black Leopards,[15] Zulu Royals,[11][16] PJ Stars,[7] Garankuwa United,[17] Values Rockets,[5] Mbabane Swallows,[18] and amateur Klerksdorp City.[19]

Walter Rautmann
Personal information
Date of birth (1945-08-30) 30 August 1945 (age 79)
Place of birth Paul-Hahn-Straße, Linz, Austria[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
LASK
1965 Montreal Italica
1968 Powerlines FC
1971 Berea Park
Highlands Park F.C.
1972–1973 Hertha BSC
1973 LBV Phönix
1973 Germiston Callies
Moroka Swallows
1975 Dallas Tornado 9[2] (0[2])
1976 SK Windhoek
Managerial career
AmaZulu
Rabali Blackpool
Moroka Swallows
2000–2001 African Wanderers
2001–2002[3] Tembisa Classic
2003[4] Black Leopards
2003–20xx Thanda Royal Zulu
2006 PJ Stars
2006–20xx Garankuwa United
2008–2009[5] Values Rockets
2009–2010 Mbabane Swallows
2016 Klerksdorp City FC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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In South Africa

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Before playing in South Africa he played in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League in 1965 with Montreal Italica.[20] Unable to secure a contract in the United States, the retired midfielder came to the whites-only South African league with some other Austrians in the 1960s,[21] before completing a switch to Moroka Swallows as player-coach which was the first black team he was in.[22] Since then, he coached only black teams[22] and was dubbed 'Mr Fitness',[7] 'Mr Fixit', the 'Lion of the North' for his preternatural ability to save clubs from relegation.[21] Also, Rautmann helped some South African footballers earn transfers to Austria, the first at the time.[21]

While in charge of Rabali Blackpool, the former footballer was kicked by Gora Ebrahim after he was chosen to be substituted and has not spoken to Ebrahim since.[7]

In 2015, Rautmann was moribund when his heart stopped beating for 20 seconds and had to be revived.[23]

On South African football, he has stated that it is very corrupt.[22]

In Swaziland

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Summoned to take the helm of Mbabane Swallows of the Swazi Premier League near the end of 2009[18] on a short-term agreement to assist Malian Alou Badara ahead of their CAF Champions League clash encountering SuperSport United,[24] Rautmann arrived in the country by January 2010.[25] However, he complained about the state of Swallows' training pitch upon arrival,[26] blaming the state of the pitch for his team's cup loss to Amagaagasi as well.[27] A month succeeding his appointment, he severed ties with the club, citing a poor relationship with Alou Badara as the reason for his resignation.[28]

Personal life

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Marrying his wife Lynn in 1968, the Austrian mentor is fluent in English, Dutch, and Afrikaans.[1] He has a son, Michael, who was born in 1976.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Linzer im Fußball-Sold Südafrikas Nachrichten.at
  2. ^ a b NASL Jerseys Profile
  3. ^ Rautmann quits Classic before big clash Cape Argus
  4. ^ Mixed feelings after Rautmann's dismissal Zoutpansberger
  5. ^ a b Rautmann cuts ties with Voda League Kick Off
  6. ^ Hall of Fame Black Aces
  7. ^ a b c d e Tavern Talk with ex-PSL coach Walter Rautmann (Part 1) Soccerladuma.co.za
  8. ^ Tavern Talk with Walter Rautmann (Part 2) Soccerladuma.co.za
  9. ^ Swallows coach cries foul Mail & Guardian
  10. ^ Precious victory for Swallows Mail & Guardian
  11. ^ a b Rautmann to restore Zulu royalty Iafrica.com
  12. ^ 'Mr Fixit' starts from scratch with Wanderers
  13. ^ 'Messiah' needs a miracle at Classic Cape Argus
  14. ^ It's a Classic case of 'we were robbed' Cape Argus
  15. ^ Rautman to come to Leopard's rescue Zoutnet
  16. ^ Rautmann instils fighting spirit in Usuthu Cape Argus
  17. ^ Mazolam puts his flabby butt on the line and it's just too much to bare Sunday Times
  18. ^ a b Swazi champs call 'Mr Fixit' Sowetan Live
  19. ^ Rangers rejoice Kick Off
  20. ^ Marks, Jack (17 May 1965). "Montreal Italica Jolts City and Sir Stanley 3-2: Greaf Knight for Soccer Sets Up One Goal". The Globe and Mail. p. 25.
  21. ^ a b c Von Linz nach Johannesburg Ballesterer Fußballmagazin
  22. ^ a b c Der Mann, den sie Soweto nannten Wiener Zeitung
  23. ^ Rautmann's Death Defying Feat After His Heart Stops Beating For 20 Seconds Soccerladuma.co.za
  24. ^ SA coach Mr Fitness' coming to assist Birds' Times of Swaziland
  25. ^ Walter Rautmann arrives on Saturday! Times of Swaziland
  26. ^ Prince of Wales Sports ground is diplorable' Times of Swaziland
  27. ^ Badara, Rautmann blame it on unplayable pitch Times of Swaziland
  28. ^ Walter Rautmann dumps Swazi champions Kick Off
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