Ralph Rangnik has been confirmed as Austria’s new manager with a two-year contract, with Manchester United’s interim manager remaining at Old Trafford as a consultant.
At a press conference by the Austrian federation, Rangnik was appointed the new manager of the national team until 2024, and a clause was included in the contract stating that the deal will be renewed for another two years if the country qualifies for Euro 2024.
Rangnik was quoted as saying on the Austrian FA website: “I am honored to take on the role of team leader. I am particularly excited about the prospect of participating in the European Championships in Germany with a young team eager to succeed.”
The 63-year-old replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United in late November, agreeing to take over the team’s temporary leadership until the summer before remaining in the role of consultant.
However, the results were disappointing under Rangnik, with United currently sixth in the Premier League, five points behind Arsenal in fourth and last place in the Champions League next season as the campaign draws to a close.
Ajax manager Eric ten Haag was recently named United’s permanent boss for next season, although Rangnik, as planned, will still remain a consultant. This role will include six days a month for the next two years, which means that the German will be able to combine work with his duties in Austria.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Rangnik said when asked about his advisory role at United. “Eric and I didn’t talk, we talked to the board about the contract and the job profile, the content of the consulting role.”
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Ralph Rangnik says the priority for his new advisory role at Manchester United will be to recruit the best possible players for the team.
Rankin’s predecessor as Austria’s manager, Franco Foda, resigned after their 2-0 defeat to Wales earlier this month, denying them a place at the World Cup in Qatar.
Neville: I don’t know how the dual roles will work
Gary Neville from Sky Sports in the Gary Neville podcast:
“As a sports director or consultant for Manchester United, can he really look at Austrian players week after week and then choose them for the national team?”
“The Austrian national team is proud, it’s a great country with great players, so it will have to watch them play every week. He will then go to train them for two weeks in September, October, November and March.
“So you think, ‘What’s going on with Man United’s consultations and advice?’ Where is the priority? ”Because there is a conflict.
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Gary Neville praised Cristiano Ronaldo, describing him as a “sensation” after scoring another important goal in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
“I don’t see how this can work, because if you’re a national team manager – and I’ve worked under a national team manager – I know they have to be present while watching their players play week after week. And he can’t be at Old Trafford every week without watching an Austrian play.
“I do not know how this will happen if it is something that is true.
It’s messy. Man United can’t afford to be distracted at the moment, they can’t afford to have a bad communication plan around the idea that Rangnik is a football consultant, but he has seen him watch German football three times a month and after this leaves for the coach of the Austrian team.
“There has to be laser focus, clean lines, people staying in their lanes, understanding what their job is and telling the fan base that this is a real change and different from the last 10 years.”
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