The German coach, heavily sought after by Bayern Munich, will remain the coach of the Austrian national team beyond Euro 2024.
Wednesday FC Bayern confirmed “good discussions” with Ralf Rangnick, but by Thursday, the situation looked surprisingly different. The German, heavily pursued by the Munich team, will not become their coach but will remain as the head coach of the Austrian national team beyond Euro 2024.
This was confirmed by the Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) on Thursday morning in a press release.
“I am wholeheartedly the head coach of the Austrian team. I immensely enjoy this role and am fully committed to continuing our successful path,” Rangnick was quoted as saying.
It was “a decision for my team and our shared goals. Our full focus is now on the European Championship. We will do everything to go as far as possible.”
The ÖFB team will face France (June 17), Poland (June 21), and the Netherlands (June 25) in Group D of the tournament. Advancing beyond the group stage and reaching the round of 16 is seen as the minimum goal for the team.
“Very good arguments”
ÖFB President Klaus Mittendorfer was particularly pleased about the latest developments in the transfer market – after all, Rangnick’s departure to the German record champions had seemed very likely for weeks.
The Austrian Football Federation is very pleased with the 65-year-old’s decision and his clear commitment “to a shared future.”
Mittendorfer also emphasized the unique opportunities that Rangnick would find in his current position: “We were always very confident that the heart and team spirit, as well as the possibilities for shaping the future, are very good arguments. Together, we will now enter the Euros even stronger.”
ÖFB Sporting Director Peter Schöttel expressed pride that Rangnick chose Austria over “two very attractive options.” They had given the German, who has been in office since May 2022, “time to consider everything calmly.”
Since Rangnick was already contractually bound to the national team until 2026 (including a possible World Cup participation), Bayern would have had to pay a rumored transfer fee in the mid-single-digit million range.
According to media reports, he could have earned a significantly higher salary in Munich. At the ÖFB, the former coach of Stuttgart, Hannover, Schalke, Hoffenheim, Leipzig, and Manchester United, as well as the former sports manager of Red Bull, is said to earn around 1.5 million euros per year. Germany’s record champion had apparently offered more than 10 million euros.
Does no one want to go to Munich?
FC Bayern must now continue to search for a successor to coach Thomas Tuchel, who will leave after the season. Before Rangnick, Xabi Alonso (stays in Leverkusen) and Julian Nagelsmann (stays with the German national team) had already declined the position.
