As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the interim manager of Manchester United, Ralf Rangnick was named coach of the Austrian national team on Friday.
Rangnick will begin working with Austria in late May in preparation for a Nations League match against Croatia on June 3, according to the Austrian Federation. That is just a few days after United’s final Premier League match of the season, against Crystal Palace, on May 22.
Austrian Football Association announced that it has committed to a two-year contract with an automatic two-year extension if Austria qualifies for the 2024 European Championship.
Rangnick was pleased to take over as the head coach of Austria as he said:
“I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with Manchester United. It is an honor for me to take on the role of manager.”
Official. Ralf Rangnick has been appointed as new Austria coach until 2024. 🇦🇹🤝 #MUFC
“I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue consultancy with Man United. I’m looking forward to helping United become a real force again”. pic.twitter.com/XGGYF8Utla
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 29, 2022
He plans to stay on as a consultant with United, once Erik Ten Hag takes his role as the coach of the Red Devils. Austria, which is ranked 23rd in the FIFA rankings, has been without a head coach since Franco Foda resigned in March after the team failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup.
Since Rangnick took over for the dismissed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November, United have won 10 of their 25 games in all competitions. He made it clear while talking about his new role at United, by stating that he wanted to be free to take on other responsibilities.
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It would obviously be problematic if he was at a different club. The international game is different, and the draw is clear with so many Red Bull players in the Austria squad.
Even after getting the Austrian head coach role, Rangnick has admitted that he is committed to the two-year, six-day-per-month consultant post with United. However, the German manager will move away if his services aren’t required, so it’s up to them how much they use him.
