Ralf Rangnick: Manchester United interim manager named Austria boss

I'm looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force again," he said. The 63-year-old German has struck a two-year deal with Austria and is geared to take their side once the Premier League season ends in May. He expressed his sentiments upon being named: "It is an honour for me to take on manager's role. The prospect of contesting the European Championships in Germany with a young team hungry for success fills me with great anticipation."

Austria FA was thrilled to have Rangnick after Foda's resignation.

The country is currently ranked 23rd in the FIFA rankings but has been without a head coach since Franco Foda resigned in March 2022 after failing to qualify for this year's World Cup. "We are very pleased that we could win an outstanding expert in international football as team boss. We are all convinced that he is the ideal man and that his vision will advance the national team," stated the Austrian Football Association president Gerhard Miletich. After Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021, United have secured 10 of their 25 games in all competitions. They occupy the sixth position in the table, trailing Arsenal, who are five points ahead in the fourth position with three games left. 

Rangnick to take a step back from United

As the summer transfer window approaches, new players such as Pau Torres, Ajax goal machine Sebastien Haller, and Sam Johnstone are linked to the club. Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will begin his tenure as the interim boss this summer, becoming United's fifth permanent manager after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. Rangnick had relinquished the head of sports and development at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.

He paved the path for Ulm for promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time before spells in charge of Hannover, Stuttgart, Schalke, Hoffenheim, and RB Leipzig. He brought home the German Cup and entered the Champions League semi-finals with Schalke in 2011. During talks about his two-year consultancy role at United, which starts at the end of the season, Rangnick clarified that he wanted more time to invest in other pursuits.

Rangnick's input needed for United's recovery

Reports state that the coach would have struggled to find greater leeway in other clubs. The international game demands a lot of time and attention, considering so many players from the Red Bull franchise in the Austria squad. Yet Rangnick is also deeply passionate about his two-year, six-day-a-month consultancy role with United. Now, Old Trafford is responsible for making full use of Rangnick, who is willing to take an exit if his guidance is not needed. The Red Devils need his input when they're aiming for a smooth recovery.