Rapid Vienna’s Josef Hickersberger will take over as Austria’s national coach from January, the country’s football federation (OeFB) has confirmed.

Hickersberger was appointed to the post last week but his club was unwilling to release the coach before December 10.

The OeFB reached an agreement to pay Rapid Vienna compensation to allow Hickersberger to leave early.

“Rapid and the OeFB are happy that a quick solution, satisfying for both sides, could be found in the interest of Austrian football and of an optimal preparation for the Euro 2008,” the OeFB said in a statement on its website.

Hickersberger replaces Hans Krankl, who was sacked last month following Austria’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals.