Ralf Rangnick is set to be announced as the next manager of Austria, but will continue in his Manchester United consultancy role until 2024.
Rangnick, 63, replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the club at the end of November, agreeing to take temporary charge of the team until the summer, before remaining in a consultancy role for two more years.
However, results have been disappointing under Rangnick, with United currently sixth in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal in the fourth and final Champions League spot for next season as the campaign draws to a close.
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag was recently announced as United’s permanent boss for next season, although Rangnick will, as planned, still stay on as a consultant. That role will encompass six days a month for the next two years, meaning the German would be able to combine the work with his Austria duties.
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Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said he will always protect his players after suggestions he prepared a dossier for the club’s board and new manager Erik ten Hag.
Rangnick is Austria’s preferred candidate but is yet to sign a contract, and the last few details are still being negotiated.
The Austrian FA (OFB) will hold an executive committee meeting on Friday morning, when Rangnick’s potential appointment is expected to be given formal approval by board members, and an announcement could follow shortly after that.
At the beginning of the month, the OFB had to officially deny approaching Rangnick, who knows Austrian football well from his time as director of football for Red Bull Salzburg.
Austrian daily Kurier, which broke the news of Rangnick’s imminent appointment on Thursday, said back then that sporting director Peter Schottel had travelled to Manchester to offer him the job.
Thursday 28th April 7:00pm
“Clarification: There was no meeting between ÖFB sports director Peter Schottel and Ralf Rangnick, coach of Manchester United,” the OFB wrote on their official Twitter feed at the time.
Austria are looking for a new boss after Franco Foda resigned from his position following their 2-0 defeat to Wales earlier this month which denied them a spot at the World Cup in Qatar.
United are yet to hold talks with Rangnick over what the 63-year-old’s influence at the club might be going forward.
Man Utd’s remaining fixtures
April 28 – Chelsea (h), live on Sky Sports
May 2 – Brentford (h), live on Sky Sports
May 7 – Brighton (a), live on Sky Sports
May 22 – Crystal Palace (a)
