Ralf Rangnick set to become Austria's national manager but will remain at Man Utd
- Joe Hewlett
- 28 April 2022
Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United manager in November on an interim basis and is contracted to remain in a consultancy role for two further years.
Results under the German have been underwhelming though and they are set to miss out on the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has been announced as the new permanent boss of United and will begin his role on July 1.
Rangnick - who is yet to sign a contract with Austria, with the final details still to be agreed on - said he will stay at United and work with Ten Hag.
Following a 1-1 draw to Chelsea on Thursday, Rangnick said: "Let us speak tonight about Manchester United, this is the issue. I can confIrm I will definitely continue in the consultancy role.
"So far me and Erik haven't spoken. But I am more than happy and willing to help and change things for the better.
"It would leave space for another job but that is what we agreed in November last year."
The Austrian FA (OFB) - who previously denied holding talks with Rangnick - will hold a meeting with board members on Friday morning and an announcement of Rangnick's appointment could be confirmed soon after.
Austria are searching for a new manager following the resignation of Franco Foda after they missed out on qualifying for this year's World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking about his Manchester United future earlier this week, Rangnick insisted he would still be at the club going forward.
"Yes I will be (here next season)," Rangnick said this week.
"I'm looking forward to working in that advisory role and obviously help Erik as much as he wants it himself.
"So far we haven't been able to speak with each other and we have had no contact, he has his focus on Ajax, I have my focus on Manchester United here.
"But obviously I'm more than willing and prepared to help both Erik and whomever in the club in order to change everything for the better.
"The club has been very thorough in its search to fill the position and I must say I think Erik is a very good choice," Rangnick added in his programme notes prior to United's game against Chelsea on Thursday night.
"From all those I have spoken to within football who know him and, of course, from my own impression of the style of football he has his teams playing, I see it as a really positive appointment.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants Erik ten Hag to "get in control" at Manchester United 🔴 pic.twitter.com/BCBUgSSOnd
— GOAL (@goal) April 28, 2022
"Erik will come in at the end of this season so that he and his staff have a full pre-season in which to get to know the squad ahead of the next campaign.
"With time and with opportunities to build and shape the team as he desires, I am very confident there will be improvements under Erik's management.
"However, we must not forget there are still games remaining in this season and, while we have to be realistic and admit that securing Champions League qualification is going to be unlikely over our last four fixtures.
"It is still very important that we finish this current campaign as strongly as we possibly can."
