Herbert Prohaska was a man who understood that the game of football is not only about goals and victories, but also about artistry and balance.
PART ONE
Born in Vienna, Herbert Prohaska grew up in a city renowned for its deep cultural roots. However, it was not just the world of opera and art that would shape his life. Football, a passionate affair for many Viennese families, became Prohaska’s first love. Like many great players, he started out playing on the streets where he displayed a natural talent and composure with the ball at his feet from a young age. His father, a part-time coach, recognized the budding talent in Herbert and was instrumental in nurturing his early footballing abilities.
At the age of 17, Prohaska joined the youth academy of Austria Vienna, a club steeped in tradition and excellence. Austria Vienna, one of the most successful clubs in Austrian football, became the crucible in which he would forge his identity as a player. He was not only technically gifted, but he also exhibited a deep understanding of the tactical nuances of the game. Early on, it became clear that Prohaska was not just another player—he was a future star, capable of shaping the game around him with his intelligence and vision.
In his early years with Austria Vienna, Prohaska demonstrated his flair, becoming the focal point of the club’s midfield. His ability to dictate play with his exceptional passing range, his vision, and his knack for reading the game clearly set him apart from others.
At Austria Vienna, Prohaska won several league titles, further solidifying his reputation as one of Austria’s finest footballing talents. Over the course of eight years, he played an unforgettable part in Austria Vienna’s dominance of Austrian football, helping the team secure four league titles and three cups.
The style of football Prohaska exhibited during these formative years was characterized by technical elegance, subtlety, and flair. He was known for his ability to glide across the pitch with ease, weaving through defenders with a combination of deft touches and intelligent movement. His vision was unparalleled—he could deliver a pass that cut through opposing defenses, setting up his teammates with perfect precision. Prohaska’s playing style was a testament to his technical mastery and his understanding of the game, even at a young age.
Despite his individual brilliance, Prohaska’s early success was a result of his understanding of team dynamics and his ability to contribute to a greater collective. His leadership on the pitch began to shine through, and by the late 1970s, he was already being recognized as a key figure in Austrian football. His growing reputation attracted attention from clubs across Europe, and it was clear that he was destined for bigger challenges on the international stage.
PART TWO
As Prohaska’s career in Austria flourished, his next challenge came in 1980, when he made the move to Serie A with Inter Milan. The Italian league, renowned for its tactical rigor and defensive discipline, was a different world from Austria’s domestic competition. It was here, in the cauldron of Serie A, that Prohaska would truly cement his status as one of Europe’s premier footballers.
At Inter Milan, Prohaska initially struggled to adapt to the tactical demands of Italian football. Serie A’s emphasis on defensive solidity and positional discipline meant that he had to adjust his approach, but his immense talent soon saw him flourish in midfield.
Furthermore, his capability to control the tempo of the game and his exceptional vision made him invaluable to the team. Prohaska’s tactical awareness helped him understand when to slow down the play, when to speed it up, and how to break down compact defenses. In addition, his ability to operate as a deep-lying playmaker allowed him to dictate the pace of matches and set the tone for Inter’s attacking play.
Prohaska’s time at Inter Milan was also marked by success. In 1982, he helped the team lift the Coppa Italia trophy, marking a high point in his first spell in Italy. Yet, it was his move to AS Roma in 1983 that would prove to be the defining chapter of his Italian adventure.
Roma, a club with a rich history and passionate fanbase, was in the midst of a renaissance under Swedish manager Nils Liedholm. Prohaska’s arrival at the club in 1983 was a pivotal moment for Roma, as he immediately became the lynchpin of their midfield. Roma had been a competitive force in Italian football but had not yet won the coveted Serie A title since the early 1980s. Prohaska’s technical brilliance and leadership qualities were precisely what Roma needed to push them toward a championship.
In the 1982-83 season, Prohaska played a key role in Roma’s Scudetto victory. His creative passing and leadership on the field were instrumental in Roma’s dominance throughout the campaign. His ability to control the flow of the game and link up play between defense and attack made him an indispensable part of the team. In fact, Prohaska’s performance that season was widely regarded as one of the finest individual displays in the long history of Serie A.
PART THREE
His return to Austria Vienna in 1983 brought a calming assurance the club´s midfield, and although many assumed the 28-year-old might be winding down, he instead wound up the gears again and drove the team forward with the same tempo-setting flair that had made him a fan favourite a decade earlier.
In 1984, Prohaska’s influence was immediate and immense. Austria Vienna, guided by his vision and velvet touches, surged to the top of the Austrian Bundesliga table and clinched the title, and if anyone thought that was a fluke or a lucky second wind, then 1985 served as a convincing encore, as they repeated the feat—this time with even greater swagger and control.
Moreover, the 1985–86 season proved to be the crowning jewel of Prohaska’s return, as Austria Vienna didn’t just claim the league title once more, but added the Austrian Cup to complete a glittering domestic double.
His midfield partnership with the likes of Dzemal Mustedanagić and the up-and-coming Andreas Ogris offered balance, finesse, and the occasional thunderbolt from distance, and while Prohaska himself rarely troubled the scoreboard, his fingerprints were all over the team’s build-up play, like an invisible hand guiding the game’s narrative.
As a result, by the time he hung up his boots, he had not only won three Bundesliga titles and one cup during his second stint with the Violets, but he had also mentored a new generation of players who would carry the club forward, albeit without the same moustachioed swagger that made him such a singular presence.
PART FOUR
While Herbert Prohaska’s club career was flourishing, he was also making waves on the international stage with Austria. He made his debut for the national team in 1974, and over the next 15 years, he would go on to earn himself a highly respectable 83 caps for his nation. Prohaska was the heart of Austria’s midfield, leading the national team through several international campaigns and major tournaments.
One of the standout moments of Prohaska’s international career came at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina. Austria’s 3-2 victory over Helmut Schon´s West Germany in Cordoba is one of the most famous moments in the country’s footballing history. Prohaska’s performance in that match was a masterclass in midfield control—he dictated the tempo, kept the ball moving, and outclassed the Germans with his vision and composure. His performances throughout the tournament helped Austria finish in a respectable fourth place, cementing his status as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
Prohaska continued to play a key role in Austria’s international campaigns throughout the 1980s. He was instrumental in Austria’s qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, although their campaign ended disappointingly early. Nevertheless, Prohaska’s influence remained profound, and he was the standout player in Austria’s squad for many years.
His role as Austria’s captain only strengthened his leadership credentials. Prohaska was a player who inspired those around him. He was a calm and composed presence on the pitch, someone who could provide the necessary guidance and tactical insight during moments of pressure. His understanding of the game allowed him to not only control possession but also break down the opposition’s strategies.
PART FIVE
Following his retirement from playing in 1989, Herbert Prohaska didn’t fade from the footballing scene. Instead, he transitioned into management, first taking on roles with Austria Vienna and later head coaching the Austrian national team.
During his time as manager at Austria Vienna, he secured two Austrian Bundesliga titles and two Austrian Cups, cementing his reputation as a tactician who valued technical ability and cohesive play. What´s more, he wasn’t just focused on maintaining possession for the sake of it; his teams were well-balanced, blending flair and creativity with a disciplined defensive setup.
While his success with Austria Vienna was notable, Prohaska’s most significant achievement came when he took charge of the Austrian national team. Under his leadership, Austria qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France – an impressive achievement for a nation with relatively modest footballing ambitions on the international stage. While Austria’s World Cup campaign failed to meet those aspirations, simply reaching such a prestigious tournament highlighted Prohaska’s tactical acumen and careful strategic planning.
After stepping away from coaching, Herbert Prohaska seamlessly transitioned into a new role as a pundit for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). This shift allowed him to remain closely connected to the game, offering insightful commentary that reflected not only his deep understanding of football but also his enduring passion for the sport.