Ralf Rangnick has been appointed as the head coach of the Austrian national team in addition to Manchester United, the Austrian Football Association confirmed via its official website. The German, currently the interim manager of the Red Devils, is contracted to the club in a consultant capacity until 2024.
The 63-year-old will combine his managerial role with the one he has to play for Manchester United from next season onward. He will remain attached to the Red Devils as a consultant for the next two years, as specified in his contract.
The German, who has managed the Red Devils on an interim basis from December 2021, confirmed the same through a statement. As it is, he would have stepped down from his current position at the end of the season, allowing Erik ten Hag to replace him as the senior men’s team manager starting from July 1.
“I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with Manchester United. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force again,”
he told United’s official website.
Rangnick’s contract with the Austrian Football Association will run until 2024, initially. He will be in charge of the national team for the 2022/23 cycle of the UEFA Nations League and the 2024 Euro.
Should Austria qualify for the latter, the German’s contract will be extended for two more years until the 2026 World Cup. Lars Kornetka, Rangnick’s right-hand man who did not join him at United, will be coming on board with the tactician as his assistant manager.
Taking on the new role, Rangnick claimed that he is eager to compete in the European Championships with a youthful side.
“It is an honor for me to take on the role of manager. The prospect of contesting the European Championships in Germany with a young team hungry for success fills me with great anticipation.”
he stated, as per oefb.at.
This will be Rangnick’s first stint in international football. He is best known for his coaching spells at Hoffenheim, Schalke 04, and RB Leipzig, as well as for inspiring some of the modern tacticians with his ideologies, including gegenpressing.
