In a surprising turn of events, Ralf Rangnick has been offered the Austria national team role and is expected to continue as a consultant at Manchester United after his interim tenure.
Rangnick, 63, will be wrapping his six-month interim tenure as head coach of Man United at the end of the season after which he will take up a consultant role at the club. The veteran football director and manager was brought in to stabilise the club after they fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December.
The club has not seen a change in fortunes under Rangnick, however. They currently sit in sixth place on the Premier League table and have crashed out of every other competition. Their participation in next season’s UEFA Champions League is also uncertain as they are five points off the top four places.
Regardless, the German will serve as new manager Erik ten Hag’s consultant sporting director no matter where United end up after the season ends. It is understood that Rangnick will work on the job for six days a month in the duration of his consultancy.
It is also understood that terms have been agreed between the German and Rangnick and all that is left is for the pen to be put to paper. Rangnick will be able to handle both roles effectively according to the details of his future role at United.
Rangnick confirms consultancy role
The news was broken during Man United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday at Old Trafford. Quizzed after the match on his decision, the former Red Bull Leipzig boss stated that things have not changed with United at the moment.
“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 in response.
“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.”
The Austrian FA (OFB) is understood to be planning an executive committee meeting on Friday morning to discuss Rangnick’s appointment. A formal approval could be given by board members at the meeting, and an announcement could follow shortly after that.
This move by the OFB comes after they denied approaching Rangnick for the role earlier in the month. The statement from the OFB at the time posted to their Twitter page read: “Clarification: There was no meeting between ÖFB sports director Peter Schottel and Ralf Rangnick, coach of Manchester United.”
United have yet to address the situation.
