The 2021–22 season was the 117th season in the existence of Admira Wacker Mödling and the club's tenth consecutive season in the top flight of Austrian football. In addition to the domestic league, Admira Wacker Mödling participated in this season's edition of the Austrian Cup. Due to a 2017 sponsorship agreement with the Würzburg-based online printing company Flyeralarm, which secured the club's naming rights, Admira Wacker Mödling was officially known as FC Flyeralarm Admira throughout the season.

Despite finishing 11th in the regular season, six points clear of last-place Rheindorf Altach, Admira Wacker struggled in the relegation round, failing to win any of their final five matches. Their relegation was confirmed on the final matchday following a 3–1 defeat to LASK.

Background Admira Wacker has been a member of the Austrian Bundesliga since their promotion from the 2. Liga in 2011. The club faced challenges following the league's restructuring in the 2018–19 season, which expanded the league from 10 to 12 teams and introduced a split into championship and relegation rounds after 22 matches. Consequently, Admira often finished in the bottom half of the table, narrowly avoiding relegation on multiple occasions.

The 2021–22 season marked the club's tenth consecutive year in the Bundesliga. The previous season was tumultuous, with several coaching changes. Zvonimir Soldo resigned in September 2020, just months after his appointment in February. He was succeeded by Damir Burić, who was dismissed in April 2021, leaving the team only two points above last place, held by SKN St. Pölten. Klaus Schmidt returned as head coach, having previously led the team to safety in the 2019–20 season. Ultimately, the Südstädter finished the 2020–21 season second-to-last, six points clear of relegation.

Coach and player changes Out On 20 May 2021, the day before Admira's final league match against SC Rheindorf Altach, it was announced that head coach Schmidt's contract would not be renewed, ending his tenure at the club. Several players also left during the off-season: Erwin Hoffer, Marcus Maier, Lukas Rath, Pascal Petlach and Christian Gartner did not have their contracts extended, while David Atanga, Max Breunig, and Max Sax returned to their parent clubs following loan spells. Additionally, Christoph Haas, Julian Turi, and Nicolas Zdichynec joined SV Ried on permanent deals, Tomislav Tomić made a free transfer back to Olimpija Ljubljana, and Andrew Wooten joined VfL Osnabrück.

Several players departed during the January 2022 transfer window. Luca Kronberger and Miloš Spasić had secured moves in December to Sturm Graz and Kavala, respectively. In January, Marco Hausjell and Niko Datković transferred to Würzburger Kickers and Mirandés, while Stephan Auer joined First Vienna FC on a free transfer. In February, Marco Kadlec moved to FC Juniors OÖ.

Another Admira player who made first-team appearances in the 2021–22 season, Patrick, was loaned to Azerbaijani club Gabala in January on an 18-month deal.

In Schmidt was succeeded as head coach by former Austrian international Andi Herzog, who signed a multi-year contract with the club on 24 May. Admira's first player signings came shortly after Herzog's arrival, with striker Marlon Mustapha the first announced on 10 June on loan from 1. FSV Mainz 05. The Südstädter added two other players on loan during the off-season, with Ilay Elmkies joining from TSG Hoffenheim and Philipp Schmiedl from Sønderjyske. Adding to their defensive ranks, Admira brought back Stephan Zwierschitz, returning to the club from Austria Wien on 24 June, as well as Yannick Brugger from Eintracht Frankfurt on a free on 5 July. Four days later, Admira signed Brazilian striker Patrick on a free transfer from second-tier side SV Horn. On transfer deadline day, 1 September, Admira brought back their second former player from Austria Wien, with Thomas Ebner on a one-year deal with an option for an additional season.

During the January transfer window, with Admira only three points above the relegation spot, several players were brought in. The signing of midfielder Jan Vodháněl was already secured in November 2021, with right-back Sámuel Major, and striker Stefano Surdanovic joining the club on 5 January and 3 February, respectively.

Pre-season and friendlies Admira played a series of friendlies to prepare for the upcoming season. On 19 June 2021, they defeated SV Horn 4–0 at home at BSFZ-Arena. A week later, on 26 June, they were beaten 4–0 by Slovan Bratislava in Bad Blumau. The team then secured wins against lower-division sides, beating SC Kalsdorf 6–1 on 30 June and Gleisdorf 09 6–0 on 1 July 2021. The team then hosted Russian club CSKA Moscow on 9 July, where they lost 1–0. On 20 July, the team played a final pre-season match against Wiener Viktoria, securing a 1–0 victory with a penalty goal by René Hellermann. This match marked the first use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system at the BSFZ-Arena, with VAR playing a decisive role in awarding the penalty. Their final friendly of the year occurred on 11 August, with the team losing 5–1 at home to seven-time Qatari champions Al-Duhail.

DateOpponentsVenueResultScorersAttendance19 June 2021SV HornH4–0Ganda 33', Bauer '45, Hausjell '55, Wooten 62'026 June 2021Slovan BratislavaA0–4030 June 2021SC KalsdorfA6–1Kerschbaum 12', Kadlec '26, Zwierschitz '53, Elmkies 63' (pen.), Ristanic '87, Hellermann '901001 July 2021Gleisdorf 09A6–0Ganda (2) 4', 10', Badji '11, Starkl '61, Ristanic '78, Koller '8809 July 2021CSKA MoscowH0–1020 July 2021Wiener ViktoriaH1–0Hellermann '74 (pen.)20011 August 2021Al-DuhailH1–5Charly '160

Competitions Overall record

Austrian Bundesliga League tables

Results summary

Matches Regular season The league fixtures were announced on 22 June 2021. MatchdayDateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendanceLeagueposition124 July 2021WSG TirolA1–1Vorsager 90+4'8905th231 July 2021Austria KlagenfurtH4–0Zwierschitz 67', Babuşcu 70', 77', Aiwu 90+2'1,4972nd37 August 2021RiedA1–2Mustapha '723,1385th414 August 2021Red Bull SalzburgH0–13,0497th521 August 2021Wolfsberger ACA0–32,06911th629 August 2021Sturm GrazH1–1Kerschbaum 70'2,59010th711 September 2021Rapid WienA2–1Kerschbaum 51', Zwierschitz 86'15,9796th818 September 2021TSV HartbergH1–1Ganda 17'1,4275th926 September 2021LASKA1–3Kerschbaum 33' (pen.)4,1268th102 October 2021Rheindorf AltachH2–0Ebner 9', Mustapha 52'1,4506th1116 October 2021Austria WienA2–2Ganda 14', Patrick 74'8,2516th1223 October 2021WSG TirolH0–11,3008th1330 October 2021Austria KlagenfurtA3–3Hausjell 11', Kerschbaum 32' (pen.), 82' (pen.)4,1118th146 November 2021RiedH1–2Mustapha 19'1,5539th1520 November 2021Red Bull SalzburgA0–05,82110th1627 November 2021Wolfsberger ACH0–1010th174 December 2021Sturm GrazA1–1Vorsager 38'011th1812 December 2021Rapid WienH1–2Zwierschitz 18'2,60011th1913 February 2022TSV HartbergA1–1Vodháněl 44'1,63711th2019 February 2022LASKH0–31,30011th2126 February 2022Rheindorf AltachA2–0Kerschbaum 8', Mustapha 49'2,70310th226 March 2022Austria WienH1–2Vorsager 7'5,10011th

Relegation round MatchdayDateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendanceLeagueposition2312 March 2022RiedH2–0Kerschbaum 11' (pen.), 72' (pen.)1,0009th2419 March 2022WSG TirolA0–01,1459th252 April 2022Rheindorf AltachA2–2Nanizayamo 45+1' (o.g.), Surdanovic 48'3,0479th269 April 2022LASKH1–1Lukačević 47'1,4509th2716 April 2022TSV HartbergA2–1Kerschbaum 13' (pen.), Surdanovic 41'1,2567th2823 April 2022TSV HartbergH1–3Mustapha 90+2'1,4999th2926 April 2022RiedA1–1Mustapha 90' (pen.)2,35011th307 May 2022WSG TirolH1–1Luan 87'2,30010th3114 May 2022Rheindorf AltachH0–33,00010th3220 May 2022LASKA1–3Lukačević 56'6,00012th

Austrian Cup

Player details Admira Wacker played 34 matches during the 2021–22 season, comprising 32 league games and two Austrian Cup fixtures. Andreas Leitner was the only player to appear in every match, playing every minute of the season. Throughout all competitions, the team utilised 29 different players, with 16 players contributing to a combined total of 40 goals.

List of squad players, including number of appearances by competition

Notes

References