Austria officially sign former Manchester United manager to contract until 2028
Image Credits: Imago Images
Ahead of their first World Cup fixture on Wednesday against Jordan, Austria have confirmed their managerial situation.
After many weeks of speculation over the issue, confirmation that all has been solved will be music to the nation’s ears.
Former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick always intended to make his future clear before Austria’s first 2026 World Cup match, and has done exactly so, putting pen to paper on a two-year contract until 2028, ending after the European Championships.
The 67-year-old was in talks to join AC Milan as head of football, where Ruben Amorim closes in on joining as head coach, but conversations between the two ended, and Rangnick’s future lies in only one place.
In an official statement, the Austrian Football Association said, “The contract extension followed several months of intensive and trusting discussions. Both Ralf Rangnick and Josef Pröll consistently emphasized during this period that the collaboration and communication were characterized by mutual respect, a clear shared understanding, and the desire to sustainably continue the positive development of the national team.
“The ÖFB supervisory board unanimously voted in favor of extending Ralf Rangnick’s contract. With this agreement, the sporting future of the national team is now clear in time for the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“Under Ralf Rangnick’s leadership, the Austrian national team has developed exceptionally well both on and off the pitch in recent years and has established itself on the international stage.”
Rangnick has managed 45 Austria games since joining in 2022, overseeing 27 wins and just 10 losses. In their only tournament under the former Manchester United boss to date, they went out in the Round of 16 of the 2024 European Championships.
Austrian Football Association Supervisory Board Chairman Josef Pröll expressed his delight with the agreement, admitting, “I am very pleased that we can present this fantastic news to our fans shortly before the start of the World Cup. It sends an important signal of unity and shared sporting goals. The clarity now achieved is of particular importance for the team.”
“My special thanks go to Ralf Rangnick. The fact that he has chosen Austria and his team shows how important this project is to him. It is a true matter of the heart for him.”
The deal is an excellent, timely coup for Austria. Speculation over a manager’s future ahead of a tournament is never good, but is now cleared up with four days to spare.
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