In a surprising turn of events, Ralf Rangnick has been offered the role of the Austrian national team and is expected to continue as a consultant at Manchester United after his temporary tenure.
Rangnick, 63, will end his temporary six-month tenure as Manchester United coach at the end of the season, after which he will take over as a club advisor. The veteran director and director of football was brought in to stabilize the club after they fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December.
However, the club did not see a change in fortunes under Rangnick. They are currently sixth in the Premier League table and are out of every other competition. Their participation in the UEFA Champions League next season is also uncertain as they are five points from the top four.
Regardless, the German will serve as advisory sporting director to new coach Erik ten Hag no matter where United end up after the season. It is understood that Rangnick will work on the job six days a month during his consultative period.
It is also understood that the terms were agreed between the German and Rangnick and all that remained was to put pen to paper. Rangnick will be able to handle both roles effectively as per the details of his future role at United.
This news was broken during Man United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday at Old Trafford. After post-match questioning over his decision, former Red Bull boss Leipzig stated that things have not changed with United at the moment.
“What I can say and confirm is that I will definitely continue my advisory role at the end of the season and over the next two years,” he told Sky Sports in response.
“I’m really looking forward to it. We haven’t talked, Eric and I have talked with the board about the contract, the job profile and the content of the consultants’ role.
“That is why I can confirm that I will continue at the end of the season.”
It is understood that the Austrian Federation (OFB) plans to hold an Executive Committee meeting on Friday morning to discuss the appointment of Rangnick. Formal approval may be given by the members of the board of directors at the meeting, and an announcement may follow shortly thereafter.
The move by OFB comes after they denied approaching Rangnick for the role earlier in the month. “Clarification: There was no meeting between ÖFB Sports Director Peter Schoettle and Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United coach,” read the statement issued by the OFB at the time it was posted on their Twitter page.
United has not yet addressed the situation.
