Ralf Rangnick announced as the new Austria manager — but he will remain at Man Utd in consultancy role
Ralf Rangnick has been appointed as the national team coach of Austria, but he will stay on in his consultancy role for Manchester United until 2024.
The German coach took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November on an interim basis with the expectation that he would move into an advisory position this summer once a permanent successor came in.
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag was announced as Man Utd’s new head coach last week and will take the reins from Rangnick upon the conclusion of this season, a season in which Man Utd can now only equal their lowest-ever points tally in the Premier League.
A 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Thursday night means the club only have the potential to match that infamous 64-point season in 2013/14, the first of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but they would have to win their remaining three games against Brentford, Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Amid that backdrop, Rangnick has now confirmed he will take charge of Austria, signing a two-year deal, with the 63-year-old set to link up with Das Team at the end of May for their UEFA Nations League games against Croatia, Denmark and France.
“I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with Manchester United,” Rangnick said.
Serwas Ralf #Rangnick! 😁👋🏻
Serwas beim ÖFB! 🦅🇦🇹#GemeinsamÖsterreich #NewBoss #DasNationalteam
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ℹ️ Alle Infos: https://t.co/rBvZhoD9a1 pic.twitter.com/RP5B2QP7Og— ÖFB – oefb.at (@oefb1904) April 29, 2022
“I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force again.
“It is an honour for me to take on the role of [Austria] manager,” he added.
“The prospect of contesting the European Championships in Germany with a young team hungry for success fills me with great anticipation.”
Despite Man Utd’s poor form under Rangnick, he defiantly confirmed after the Chelsea game that he would still like to move upstairs at Old Trafford once his temporary tenure comes to and end.
“What I can tell you and confirm is I will definitely continue with my consultancy role at the end of the season and for the next two years,” he told Sky Sports following the draw with Chelsea.
“I’m very much looking forward to it. We haven’t spoken, Erik and myself, we’ve spoken with the board about the contract and the profile of the job, the content of the consultancy role.
“That’s why I can confirm I will continue at the end of the season.”
It is believed that Rangnick’s consultancy role would see him work six days a month for the next two years, meaning he would be able to carry out his duties for the national team of Austria, whom he knows exceptionally well following his stint as Red Bull Salzburg’s director of football.
Austria had been in the hunt for a new manager following Franco Foda’s resignation after the nation lost 2-0 to Wales in Europe’s World Cup qualifying play-offs last month.
Gerhard Milletich, President of the Austrian Football Association [OFB], said: “We are very pleased that in Ralf Rangnick we have been able to recruit an outstanding expert in international football as team manager.
“We are all convinced that he is the ideal man and that his vision will advance the national team and the OFB.”
