Vastly-experienced Austrian forward reflects on a remarkable career spanning Rapid Vienna, Aston Villa, Bristol City, 26 caps for his country and more than 600 appearances, also revealing his ambitions for the next chapter with League Two club Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town forward Andi Weimann
Cheltenham Town forward Andi Weimann
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There were two things Andi Weimann had not yet achieved in his distinguished career before joining Cheltenham Town and he has already ticked one of them off.
Prior to the Robins’ 2-2 home draw with Grimsby Town on September 5, the 35-year-old Austrian had never taken a penalty in more than 600 career appearances. He successfully converted his first and did the same again at Colchester United two weeks later, on his way to making it four goals in four games for Steve Cotterill’s team.
The other omission is now within his sights: winning a promotion.
The esteem in which Weimann is held at previous clubs such as Aston Villa, Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers says much about not only his quality, but also his character and workrate. He was born and raised in the Stadlau area of Vienna, initially showing promise in athletics, which was no surprise: both of his parents were national record holders in sprint hurdles. “My mum held the record for 14 years and my dad had his for two,” Weimann says. “Both of them being athletes definitely wasn’t a bad thing for me because I always had that athleticism in the genes.”
He was encouraged to train with Stadlau after being spotted by a coach playing football during a summer camp at the age of seven. Weimann’s obvious talent led to a host of offers, including from then German top-flight club 1860 Munich and Austria Vienna. But he had grown up as a fan of Rapid Vienna and he spent two years with Austria’s most successful club.
“When I went back to play for Rapid last season I stayed with my parents and was back in my childhood bedroom. My mum put on the Rapid Vienna bedsheets as a joke! My godfather actually played for them and they were the biggest club in the country, even if they haven’t been quite as successful recently due to Red Bull Salzburg.
“There we could train in the mornings, attend school from 12-4pm and then train afterwards and that was important because my parents wanted me to do my education. I did go to look at 1860 and Austria Vienna were interested, but they were Rapid’s big rivals so I didn’t really fancy that! Once Rapid wanted me to join them, I was buzzing.”
Due to his pace, Weimann operated as a centre-back in youth representative football, but during one game at the age of 11 when the team's striker was missing, he played up front and scored four goals. By the time he signed for Rapid, he was a forward.
During a tournament for Austria Under-15s, Weimann was invited to train with Aston Villa during the Austrian winter break. “Someone who later became my agent called the family house, with no mobiles then of course! He explained the opportunity and because I wasn’t going to miss any training or school at home, we thought ‘why not?’
“I trained and played in a game at the end, scoring twice and they said they’d love me to join as a first-year scholar the following season. That meant I had from January to July to make my decision. I knew I could always go back to Rapid and I didn’t want to kick myself for not giving it a go. I went and didn’t go back home for 19 years!”
Weimann moved to Villa along with fellow Austrian Dominik Hofbauer, living in digs with a host family for the next three years. The quality in their age group was high, including the likes of Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark, Marc Albrighton, James Collins and Nathan Baker. They were coached by Tony McAndrew, while Kevin MacDonald ran the reserve team.
“I thought my English was okay, but I didn’t understand a word in the dressing room with all the accents and how quickly people speak. The coaches were both Scottish so that was another level! The digs were great and we went to college twice a week and I am quite good with languages. Now it’s easier than speaking German.
“I owe those coaches a lot because of the way they brought us up. I think I am hard-working and down to earth and they definitely instilled that in us. They were hard on us and training was really hard, but all of us in that group would never change it.”
It was MacDonald who gave Weimann his senior debut for Villa following the departure of Martin O’Neill just before the start of the 2010/11 Premier League season. He replaced Ashley Young in the 87th minute of a 3-0 home win over West Ham United on August 14. “That was a special day and I remember it being quite big news in Austria.”
It was quickly followed by agony in a Europa League match at, of all places, Rapid Vienna five days later. “I had about 20 friends and family there watching. I went on as a sub in the 80th minute and about five minutes later rolled my ankle on the ball and did every ligament. I needed surgery and was out until January. I knew the guy who made the challenge from youth football and the national team and it wasn’t a foul, just a shame so soon after making my debut.”
Andi Weimann of Aston Villa is stretchered off during the UEFA Europa League match at Rapid Vienna in August 2010
Andi Weimann of Aston Villa is stretchered off during the UEFA Europa League match at Rapid Vienna in August 2010(Image: Getty Images)
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After regaining fitness, Weimann joined Watford on loan for the second half of the season, scoring four Championship goals for Malky Mackay’s team. “I loved it and there is nothing better than going out and playing. It was better than the reserves when you are not really playing for anything. Out on loan, it means so much to the fans and players are playing for contracts. I was still 19 and I learned how much it matters. Sean Dyche was assistant manager, John Eustace was in the team and I was playing with some good professionals.”
Weimann rejoined Watford early on in the following campaign and he was initially due to spend the rest of the season at Vicarage Road. But an injury crisis at Villa saw him recalled after only three games. “Sean Dyche had taken over as manager and he called me into his office so I thought I’d done something wrong. He just said he was gutted but Villa wanted me back and I was then on the bench every week, getting five or 10 minutes here and there.”
Weimann’s first Premier League goal was a 90th minute winner for Villa against Fulham at the Holte End, giving him another early moment to savour. “It was probably one of the worst goals I’ve scored! A shot was saved, I followed in with a diving header which Mark Schwarzer saved, but it hit my chest and I passed it in while lying on the floor. It wasn’t pretty, but I’ll remember it forever.”
Andi Weimann sees a diving header parried by Mark Schwarzer, following up for his first Aston Villa goal
Andi Weimann sees a diving header parried by Mark Schwarzer, following up for his first Aston Villa goal(Image: Getty Images)
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Villa endured a challenging season, staying up by only a five-point margin. “When I came through we had some unbelievable players, but a lot of them were sold and younger boys who’d come through the system started getting chances, so I think the fans took to us. You could feel that connection, but maybe they still expected us to finish fifth or sixth as we had been. Villa Park is an amazing stadium and I was very lucky to score a few goals at the Holte End.”
Gérard Houllier was replaced as manager by Alex McLeish, who endured a torrid spell in no small part due to his Birmingham City connections. “That was a horrible season to be fair. I started playing more towards the end of the season, but when Paul Lambert took over I played almost every game.”
Weimann scored in a 3-1 win at Liverpool on December 15, 2012, with Christian Benteke claiming the other two. “I’ve played at Anfield five times and never lost there, so I always joke I don’t want to go there again. I’ve won three and drawn two and I don’t want to lose that record!”
With Benteke playing as the centre forward, Weimann and fellow winger Gabby Agbonlahor completed a formidable and highly effective front three. He scored 12 goals in 2012/13. “I’ve played with some good players, but that particular season, Christian was the best. I think he scored 24 goals in a team that finished 15th. I was 21 or 22 and still fast, knowing he’d win every header and flick it on, so he was brilliant to play with.”
It was also that season that Weimann was given a standing ovation as he left the field after scoring twice in a 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United. It was 2-2 when he was substituted in the 81st minute.
Andi Weimann celebrates his first goal against Manchester United in November 2012
Andi Weimann celebrates his first goal against Manchester United in November 2012(Image: Getty Images)
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Weimann found opportunities harder to come by after Tim Sherwood’s appointment as manager and in the summer of 2015, he opted to join Derby County despite having another year on his contract with Villa. “I didn’t have a bad relationship with Tim Sherwood at all, but he fancied other players more. I’d been starting every game, but started one after he came in, so clearly wasn’t in his plans. I have never been someone happy just to sit on the bench, so it was the right time to move on and Derby came in, ambitious to win promotion to the Premier League.”
He spent time on loan at Wolves during the second half of the 2016/17 season, playing again under Lambert and scoring a winner in an FA Cup tie at Anfield. “I loved my time at Derby, from the fans to a lot of friends I still have from my time there, but that spell never worked out as well as I wanted it to. I didn’t play as much as I wanted in the second season, so Wolves was a really good one for me to fall in love with it again. I enjoyed that six months and had good times.”
Weimann returned to Derby and enjoyed a positive season under Gary Rowett, re-establishing himself as a Rams regular, before joining Bristol City on a three-year deal in the summer of 2018. “I was 26 when I joined so I’d seen a bit, but I was still quite young and wanting to experience more things. From the moment I joined, I loved it.”
Five goals in his first five Championship appearances certainly helped endear himself to the fans at Ashton Gate. “That wasn’t a bad way to introduce myself,” he laughs. “Villa in the Premier League was amazing, but I’d say Bristol City was the best time of my career. I didn’t know much about the club or the city, apart from playing at the stadium. Once I went there and got my apartment in the city, it was amazing.”
Weimann was used in what manager Lee Johnson described as a “nine-and-a-half" role most often behind focal point Famara Diédhiou. However, he played in virtually every position for City, apart from centre-back. After two fruitful seasons, he ruptured his ACL early in 2020/21 during a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.
“I felt no pain and played on for five minutes, but it felt weird so I came off. I was walking around with the kids on Sunday and I just thought I’d jarred it, there was no swelling or anything. I went in on Monday, had tests done and was told it was the ACL, which was a shock.
“Looking back, it was the best season to miss as there weren’t any fans due to Covid. I was also lucky that apart from the ACL, the knee was perfect. I then had a really good rehab and was back training with the team after five-and-a-half months. It worked out well because I joined in training 10 days before the season finished, then worked hard over the summer and was back fully fit for the start of pre-season. By the time I played my first match it had been nine months, but I didn’t have to rush into games mid-season.”
Weimann had scored for City against Cheltenham in a 4-0 friendly win for Dean Holden’s side at Ashton Gate just before the 2020/21 season. “I am quite driven and I quite enjoyed the rehab, in terms of the day-by-day improvements, working towards getting back on the grass, passing the ball and all those little steps. The physio Gill (Holt) was brilliant. I was in at 8am and out by 4pm, but due to lockdown there wasn’t much else to do! It all went smoothly and I had a few other lads in the treatment room, so I wasn’t by myself and that helped. During my time out, we moved into the new training ground and that was nice too.”
The work he put in during his recovery paid off with 22 goals, 10 assists and Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards under Nigel Pearson in 2021/22. “I started all 46 games and only missed about 20 minutes in the league all season, so I was really fit and the system we had gave me almost a free role. We had Chris Martin up front, taking all the hits and fighting everyone, Antoine Semenyo and Alex Scott, who’s just made his England debut, wide and I just had to arrive in the box. Antoine was unbelievable and you could see he had everything, both feet, strong, quick. I knew he’d play in the Premier League and where he is now is amazing. He’s a great guy as well, always wanting to learn. I just loved my time there.”
Andi Weimann spent five-and-a-half years at Bristol City(Image: Simon Galloway/PA Wire)
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Weimann joined West Brom on loan in January 2024, knowing that his minutes at City were going to be limited for the remainder of his contract. “I had a clause which meant three more games and I’d get another year. They wanted to go in a different direction and I was a bit upset as I felt I’d earned it, playing pretty much every game, but that’s football and you get that. So I had a choice where to sit on the bench for six months and see out my contract, or go to West Brom. I also had the Euros with Austria that summer to aim for and it was a dream to make the squad, so I felt playing regularly would give me the best chance. We ended up making the play-offs and I made the Euros squad, so it paid off.”
Weimann netted two goals for the Baggies, including an 85th minute winner against Birmingham at The Hawthorns, when he was given plenty of stick from the travelling fans due to his association with rivals Villa. After his Euros experience in Germany, when Austria won their group before bowing out to Turkey in the last 16, Weimann joined Blackburn Rovers, managed by his old teammate Eustace.
“It was a strange summer as we didn’t finish until mid-July, so I took two weeks off and actually trained with my local team Solihull Moors that summer because I didn’t just want to be running by myself. John then called asking me to go and train and saying he wanted to sign me. I loved my year there.” Weimann scored what he regards as the best goal of his career for Rovers, in a 1-1 draw at arch-rivals Burnley on August 31, 2024.
Andi Weimann celebrates after his goal for Blackburn Rovers against Burnley in August 2024
Andi Weimann celebrates after his goal for Blackburn Rovers against Burnley in August 2024(Image: Getty Images)
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“That one stands out because it was from about 30 yards and even though I was only there for a season, I think their fans love me because I scored against Burnley! They sang my name when I went back with Derby, which was nice.”
Weimann commuted to Lancashire along with teammate Danny Batth, who he regards as one of his best friends in football. “It was only a season and it didn’t make sense to move the family, so it was travel and some nights in a hotel, but I loved Blackburn. If it was an hour closer and they’d offered me another deal, I would 100 per cent have signed there. But I was 33, my kids were settled in school and I was missing too much time with the family.”
Derby came in for him and he returned for a second spell at Pride Park at the start of last season, once again playing under Eustace. “I love John as a manager, but I didn’t get as many chances as I wanted last season. I came on and felt I did okay, but I’d start a game, come off after an hour and maybe have to wait a month for another start. As a forward you need two or three games to get into it so it was hard. Maybe I didn’t deserve it, or play as well as he wanted me to, but it didn’t work out. I was on standby for Austria during the November international break and felt I had an outside chance of making the World Cup squad, which would have been one of the biggest things of my career, so that influenced my decision to join Rapid Vienna on loan. A bit like when I initially joined Villa, I thought ‘why not?’ and at least I’d know I’d given it a go at the age of 34.”
It was a special period in Weimann’s career, turning out for his boyhood club in the Austrian Bundesliga. “I loved it there, even though being away from my wife and kids for four months was hard. I was able to meet my brother in Vienna every day, having only probably seen him 10 times in the previous 19 years.”
Weimann’s debut was against Hartberg and his first goal arrived against Altach. “I had 30 tickets for the first game because a lot of my friends and family had hardly seen me play. They came to every one and the game against Austria Vienna stands out in front of 30,000 and I was captain, walking out with my youngest son with all the banners and the ultras creating a great atmosphere. We lost the game, but the experience before the game was amazing.” He was marked in that game by Cheltenham’s only other Austrian former player, Tin Plavotic.
Weimann was offered a year’s contract in March, but after discussions with his wife, who is from Solihull, he opted for a return to England in the summer. There was a period of uncertainty, with offers from League One clubs ruled out because they didn’t fit geographically.
“I am not sure if this sounds wrong, but I’ve earned my money in my career and I am proud of it, so it was time to do what was right for me and my family. I want to play because I love it, but it had to work out for all of us and Cheltenham fitted perfectly.”
Weimann did speak to other clubs in League Two as the summer progressed, one of which he said was in a viable location, but after a phone call with Cotterill his mind was quickly made up. “I knew of Steve of course from his time at Bristol City and he didn’t have to sell it too much. I knew it was halfway to Bristol as I’d driven past it for six years and I knew it was a beautiful area. Having a manager who knew me helped. We spoke on the Wednesday and I went down to sign on the Friday. It was the perfect move for me.”
Weimann knew Robbie Cundy from his Bristol City days, while George Nurse was also progressing through the ranks at Ashton Gate. He was told to report to the training ground early on the eve of the new League Two campaign because he’d be in the squad to face Rotherham United at home.
“The training ground is good, but I am relaxed and chilled and as long as there is a pitch and a shower I am fine! I arrived, did a running test and the manager showed me around.” Weimann had completed a half marathon the previous weekend and then taken part in his first football session on the Wednesday, along with England international Ollie Watkins.
“It had been almost three months and I had only three sessions before the season started. Before that it was school run, gym for a run on the treadmill and playing padel. I did run every day and did loads of gym work, but no football. I think keeping myself so fit meant I didn’t need a full pre-season with a club to go straight in.”
Weimann has thoroughly enjoyed working under Cotterill, appreciating his honest approach. “I have loved it and he’s been great. You know where you stand and he’ll tell you how he feels. Either good or bad, he’ll tell you straight and I like that in a manager. Some will string you along, but you want to know where you stand, it’s as simple as that. Training has been good and he wants his players to work really hard and run, so everyone has bought into that. The tactical work on Thursdays and Fridays means we go into every game knowing what to expect from the opposition and he’s not afraid to change something if it’s not working. I can’t say anything bad. I am really enjoying it here.”
As well as his pair of penalties, Weimann scored a fine near-post header at Crawley and a sweetly-struck shot in the 2-1 home win over Chesterfield, which was followed by a ‘bow’ celebration at the request of his youngest son, who was watching from the stand.
Cotterill has highlighted the likes of Weimann, Joe Day and James Wilson as fine examples to follow for the younger members of the squad in terms of professionalism, attitude and work ethic. “I am not someone who shouts a lot in the changing room, but I will speak to players quietly 1-2-1 to give advice and I’ve done that a lot. That’s how I am anyway, so I’ve not had to change. I have an ice bath every day for example to help with recovery and hopefully there are things players can copy or pick up from my career experience because I want to help the team.”
Weimann wants to continue playing for as long as he can, but “not for the sake of it. If Cheltenham had not come in, I wasn’t going to sign for someone three hours away. If it fits, I want to keep playing but it’s more about enjoyment and showing I can still do it.
“It’s gone really well so far and I have kept fit, despite only putting my boots on two days before the season started really. Against Rotherham I was still feeling it a bit from the half marathon if I am being totally honest! But since starting against Barnet, I’ve felt good and I am getting fitter and fitter I haven’t had many chances but like I am sure Charlie (McCann) will say too, when they come, I feel confident of taking them and at the moment it feels good.”
Weimann admits that for all his big game experience, he felt the nerves before his penalty against Grimsby. “When I was at Bristol City I was designated penalty taker, but we didn’t get one for the whole season, so I was a bit nervous stepping up having never taken one in a match before. It was nice when it went in!”
Andi Weimann scores the first penalty of his career for Cheltenham Town against Grimsby Town
Andi Weimann scores the first penalty of his career for Cheltenham Town against Grimsby Town(Image: Getty Images)
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McCann is League Two’s top scorer with seven in nine games and Weimann has added four so far. “Charlie has been clinical and even in training almost every time he shoots it’s a goal. His conversion rate is unbelievable. We need goals from all over as the manager has said and I am sure everyone will start chipping in.
“The squad is small so we need to keep everyone fit, but I don’t see why we can’t challenge. We’ll give it everything we’ve got and one thing I haven’t achieved is a promotion, so that’s 100 per cent a big goal or dream I have. I am not saying we are going to get promoted, but I’ll try my best and I really would like to experience that.”
Weimann made his senior Austria debut under Ralf Rangnick at the age of 21, remaining in the squad until he was at Derby, then spending seven years with no caps. His return to the international set-up coincided with Rangnick’s reappointment, giving him his Euros experience.
Another career highlight was his first international goal, which came in a Nations League match against then world champions France, at the end of his most prolific season for Bristol City. “I’ve had some great times and that goal capped off the season perfectly. I returned after a seven-year break, trained well and played at left wing-back against Croatia. I then played in behind Marko Arnautović against France and got a tap-in, but I didn’t care. That was a special end to a special season.”
Andreas Weimann scores his first goal for Austria, against France in June 2022
Andreas Weimann scores his first goal for Austria, against France in June 2022(Image: Getty Images)
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Kylian Mbappé equalised for France and it finished 1-1. Weimann’s other goal for Austria was against Slovakia in March 2024. Weimann managed to score against most of the biggest clubs in England, but he did not manage one against Chelsea, which is why he regards their defence as the toughest he faced in his career.
“They had players like (John) Terry, (Ashley) Cole and (Branislav) Ivanovic and they were so strong, with Petr Cech in goal too. If I had to pick the best I played with, it would be David Alaba, who I came through with for Austria. He’s won over 30 trophies including four Champions Leagues. Gareth Barry and James Milner also stand out, but I didn’t play that many games with them.”
Weimann still enjoys playing padel, which he feels is good for his recovery on Sundays after games. But spare time is usually devoted to his three children. His daughter is a keen gymnast and his elder son enjoys playing football, but he believes his youngest son is showing real potential. “He wants to play in the garden every day and he knows all the England players’ names at the age of four, so he’s a bit football-obsessed! He’s my project and you never know when I retire, he might take over!”
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Andi Weimann with his family at West Brom in May 2024
Andi Weimann with his family at West Brom in May 2024(Image: Getty Images)
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Weimann has already passed the 600 career appearances mark and it won’t be long before he achieves the same landmark in English football. “I don’t think any other Austrian player will reach that. I’m still here and hopefully I have a few years left, then I can look back on it all, but of course I am proud of what I’ve done.”