Rangnick opts to stay as Austria coach, dealing blow to Bayern

Ralf Rangnick said connected Thursday helium wished to proceed arsenic Austria caput coach, with Euro 2024 the contiguous goal, delivering a caller stroke to Bayern Munich successful their hunt for a replacement for outgoing brag Thomas Tuchel.

The 65-year-old erstwhile Manchester United interim manager had been tipped to regenerate Tuchel, who leaves astatine the extremity of the play aft conscionable 2 years successful charge, having failed to unafraid Bayern a 12th successive Bundesliga crown.

Austria person discovered a affluent tally of signifier since Rangnick took implicit successful April 2022, winning 11 of their past 14 matches, losing conscionable one.

However, the Austrians person a pugnacious radical to negociate their mode done astatine Euro 2024.

They footwear disconnected their run successful Germany against France connected June 17, followed by Poland 4 days aboriginal and circular it disconnected against the Netherlands connected June 25.

“I americium the Austrian squad brag with each my heart,” Rangnick said successful a connection released by the Austrian FA (OeFB) connected Thursday.

“This task gives maine unthinkable joyousness and I americium determined to successfully proceed connected our chosen path.

“I would similar to expressly emphasise that this is not a rejection of FC Bayern, but a determination for my squad and our communal goals. Our afloat attraction is connected the European Championship.

“We volition bash everything we tin to get arsenic acold arsenic possible.”

Austrian FA sporting manager Peter Schoettel said helium was “extremely happy”.

“We understood that helium had 2 precise charismatic options and gave him the clip to measurement everything up successful peace,” helium said.

“We are arrogant that helium has decided for Austria.”

Rangnick is the latest precocious illustration manager who has preferred to stay successful his contiguous occupation and not instrumentality the Bayern post.

Xabi Alonso, who guided Bayer Leverkusen to their archetypal Bundesliga title, ending Bayern’s 11-year stranglehold, and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann besides reportedly declined their advances.

In April, erstwhile midfielder Alonso disappointed not lone Bayern but different of his erstwhile clubs Liverpool erstwhile helium pledged himself to Leverkusen.

Nagelsmann ended immoderate hopes of him returning to Bayern for the infinitesimal arsenic helium extended his woody with the nationalist team.

Tuchel inactive has a accidental of bowing retired with a 2nd Champions League crown, having won with Chelsea successful 2021.

Bayern question to Real Madrid for adjacent Wednesday’s 2nd limb of their semi-final tied astatine 2-2.