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]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 August 1945 | ||
| 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
editIn South Africa
editBefore 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
editSummoned 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
editMarrying 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
edit- ^ a b c Linzer im Fußball-Sold Südafrikas Nachrichten.at
- ^ a b NASL Jerseys Profile
- ^ Rautmann quits Classic before big clash Cape Argus
- ^ Mixed feelings after Rautmann's dismissal Zoutpansberger
- ^ a b Rautmann cuts ties with Voda League Kick Off
- ^ Hall of Fame Black Aces
- ^ a b c d e Tavern Talk with ex-PSL coach Walter Rautmann (Part 1) Soccerladuma.co.za
- ^ Tavern Talk with Walter Rautmann (Part 2) Soccerladuma.co.za
- ^ Swallows coach cries foul Mail & Guardian
- ^ Precious victory for Swallows Mail & Guardian
- ^ a b Rautmann to restore Zulu royalty Iafrica.com
- ^ 'Mr Fixit' starts from scratch with Wanderers
- ^ 'Messiah' needs a miracle at Classic Cape Argus
- ^ It's a Classic case of 'we were robbed' Cape Argus
- ^ Rautman to come to Leopard's rescue Zoutnet
- ^ Rautmann instils fighting spirit in Usuthu Cape Argus
- ^ Mazolam puts his flabby butt on the line and it's just too much to bare Sunday Times
- ^ a b Swazi champs call 'Mr Fixit' Sowetan Live
- ^ Rangers rejoice Kick Off
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Von Linz nach Johannesburg Ballesterer Fußballmagazin
- ^ a b c Der Mann, den sie Soweto nannten Wiener Zeitung
- ^ Rautmann's Death Defying Feat After His Heart Stops Beating For 20 Seconds Soccerladuma.co.za
- ^ SA coach Mr Fitness' coming to assist Birds' Times of Swaziland
- ^ Walter Rautmann arrives on Saturday! Times of Swaziland
- ^ Prince of Wales Sports ground is diplorable' Times of Swaziland
- ^ Badara, Rautmann blame it on unplayable pitch Times of Swaziland
- ^ Walter Rautmann dumps Swazi champions Kick Off