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Ralf Rangnick is in line to become head coach of Austria’s national team alongside his consultancy role with Manchester United, according to reports.
The 63-year-old has agreed to take up a two-year role with United this summer once Erik ten Hag replaces him as manager.
But according to Austrian outlet Kurier, Rangnick has now also reached an agreement with the president of Austria’s football association (OFB).
The report claims that the OFB has scheduled a presentation this Friday where Ragnick will be officially confirmed as the new manager of their national side. Austria failed to make the World Cup in Qatar later this year and are now targeting qualification for Euro 2024.
United, meanwhile, are due to play Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, after which Rangnick will have just three games remaining in charge.
The responsibilities of Rangnick’s consultancy role are yet to be confirmed but the German has insisted that he is prepared to held Ten Hag as much as he needs.
‘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.’
Ten Hag will see out the season with Ajax before moving to United this summer and Rangnick has hailed the move for the Dutchman as ‘a really positive appointment’.
‘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 said in his programme notes ahead of United’s clash with Chelsea on Thursday evening.
‘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.
‘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.’
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Source: Metro Sport
