Austria head coach Franco Foda, center, looks on as players Andreas Weimann and Marko Arnautovic, left, train during a training session ahead of Thursday s World Cup 2022 play-off soccer match between Wales and Austria, at the Cardiff City Stadium, Wales, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. AP
Foda used a news conference on Monday to suddenly announce his imminent departure, saying the time was right because ``we couldn't fulfill our big dream.''
Austria lost 2-1 to Wales in the semifinals of the World Cup playoffs on Thursday.
``I've had a lot of thoughts over the past few days,`` Foda said, ``and I take full responsibility for the fact that we didn't qualify for the World Cup. So my job as team manager ends after the Scotland game.''
The 55-year-old Foda was hired as Austria coach at the end of 2017. The team played at Euro 2020.
``My successor can look forward to a team with impeccable character that has a lot of potential for development,`` he said. ``I am convinced that we will have a lot of fun with the national team in the years to come.''
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