Red Bull Salzburg, meanwhile, became title challengers overnight.

The move prompted the Austria Salzburg fans to found an eponymous phoenix club, which started life in the seventh tier. By the time the 2004/05 season – in which they finished in ninth place and flirted with relegation – came to a close, a deal had been struck for the club to be purchased by Red Bull. However, the real golden era came in the mid-1990s when they claimed three titles in four years and became only the third Austrian club to reach a European final, losing the 1994 UEFA Cup showpiece to Italian giants Inter Milan.Īfter the turn of the millennium, however, financial issues began to come to the fore and Austria Salzburg increasingly fell off the pace in the league. The club finished as league runners-up in 1971 – the same year their legendary Stadion Lehen was inaugurated – and reached the cup final three years later.

Renamed Red Bull Salzburg, they have since established themselves as the dominant force in Austria and have been almost untouchable in recent years, winning each of the last eight league titles and earning plaudits for their achievements on the European stage.Īustria Salzburg won the Salzburger Landespokal in 19, but it was not until the 1970s that the Violets started to compete for national trophies. But the tide soon began to turn and with the Violets underperforming in the league and struggling with their finances, energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull stepped in in April 2005 and took over the club. Austria Salzburg, founded in 1933, were arguably the most successful club in Austrian football in the 1990s, winning three Bundesliga titles and reaching the UEFA Cup final.

Red bull salzburg