Ralf Rangnick named as head coach of Austria

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has been appointed as the new manager of the Austrian national team – but he is set to remain at Old Trafford in a consultancy role.

Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November initially until the end of the 2021/22 season – and it was confirmed earlier this month that he would not be remaining in that position after the appointment of Erik ten Hag as permanent boss, who will join from Ajax ahead of next season. It had always been expected that Rangnick would remain at United in a consultancy role.

The German will succeed Franco Foda as Austria manager at the end of the 2021/22 season.

In a statement, Rangnick 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.

“I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force again.”

The PA news agency has reported that United have been supportive of Rangnick taking the job with Austria, with the advisory position always holding the option for the 63-year-old to take on parallel roles.

Rangnick will initially take charge of Austria for two year’s with successful qualification to the 2024 European Championships automatically triggering a two-year extension.

When Erling Haaland and Kylan Mbappe were reeled off, Rangnick said: “Haaland is a young player. He’s 21 or 22. This is one of those players I spoke about.

“But, on the other hand, he has developed in the last two years into one of probably the most expensive strikers in the world.

“But, yes, he could be, he would be one of those examples where I think the focus should be on to try and identify and find and then convince players who could be Manchester United players for the next couple of years.”

Rangnick believes United’s support, stadium and training facilities still make them an attractive proposition irrespective of Champions League qualification.

But that view also comes with a dose of realism given rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are flying high, with the club targeting the “full package” of “mentality, quality, physicality, pace, skills” in new players.

Rangnick says it is obvious that the team need additions given their struggles and departing players, with Monday’s match against Brentford looking to be an Old Trafford farewell for out-of-contract Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic.

“I would like to (play them) but it’s also about getting the best possible result and the best possible performance,” he said. “It’s not about making any gifts to players.

“Juan Mata played the last 15 minutes, Nema almost the whole game, so it’s not about saying farewell to the supporters.

“If that is possible I would do that or I would like to do that, but it’s also about getting the best possible result.”

Rangnick hopes to have Fred back for Monday’s match and captain Harry Maguire may return, while Edinson Cavani – another out of contract in the summer – was due to return to training on Friday.

But the 63-year-old says Jadon Sancho will be absent against Brentford and “might be out for the rest of the season with his tonsillitis”.

Asked if Sancho was having his tonsils out, Rangnick added: “It could happen.

“He’s definitely got an inflammation on his tonsils and has also had some high temperatures, so that’s why he was not available (against Chelsea) and he will most certainly not be available for the next two games.

“Hopefully, they can get hold of that inflammation and then hopefully if the tonsils have to be taken out and removed this can happen at the end of the season.”