The world's best PE teacher? Austria forward Maximilian Entrup began training for education several years ago but could play for his country at Euro 2024 tonight in rapid rise

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Austria forward Maximilian Entrup is in line to make his competitive debut at Euro 2024 this evening - just several years after he began training as a PE teacher.

Entrup previously plied his trade as a semi-professional footballer in the third-tier in his home country but is now a member of Ralf Rangnick's squad this summer.

After scoring 16 goals in all competitions for top-flight side Hartberg last season, Entrup's form did not go unnoticed and he was named in the squad.

The 26-year-old's career has been far from plain sailing, however.

Hartberg, who agonisingly missed out on European football last season, snapped up Entrup from the lower reaches of the Austrian pyramid last July.

Austria forward Maximilian Entrup trained to be a PE teacher with his career on the rocks

But he is in line to play at Euro 2024 tonight after a superb season in the Austrian top-flight

The ace began his senior career with Floridsdorfer AC in 2018, having joined the club as a teenager in 2015 after leaving giants Austria Wien.

The following year, Entrup moved to heavyweights Rapid Vienna for a fee of 200,000 euros after impressing in the second tier - but failed to make a first-team impact.

As a result, he departed on a free transfer after an unsuccessful loan at St Polten.

Entrup was forced to again journey up the leagues. He joined Lafnitz in the second division in 2018 before dropping down a level with FCM Traiskirchen in 2020.

Entrup made Ralf Rangnick's final 26-man squad after journeying up the football pyramid

Having found his feet there, Entrup eventually put pen to paper with FC Marchfeld Donauauen in the same league and scored 31 goals in the 2022-23 campaign.

His red-hot form saw him attract attention from Hartberg, his current club, and his impressive displays back in the top-flight led Rangnick to take a gamble on him. 

Entrup may be on the move this summer, however, with Premier League newcomers Southampton and Ipswich Town reported to have expressed interest. 

Austria begin their Euro 2024 campaign against France in Dusseldorf tonight.