Ex-Man United boss Ralf Rangnick rejects major European job to sign new Austria contract

Ralf Rangnick has revealed he rejected an approach from AC Milan as the European giants close in on Ruben Amorim as their new manager.

The Austria boss turned down the opportunity to return to club football for the first time since his stint at Manchester United.

AFP

The 67-year-old spent six months as Red Devils’ interim manager during the 2021-22 season following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking.

talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy labelled the club’s decision to hire Rangnick as ‘one of the worst decisions the Premier League has ever seen,’ while Cristiano Ronaldo said he never viewed him as ‘boss’.

‘The godfather of gegenpressing‘ famously claimed Man United required ‘an open heart operation’ after a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Rangnick ultimately oversaw a sixth-placed finish on 58 points, which was, at the time, their lowest ever tally in Premier League history.

However, his horror record has since been surpassed by Amorim, who guided Man United to 15th place with just 42 points last season.

Ironically, the pair could have been working together at AC Milan with Rangnick approached to be the Rossoneri’s new technical director.

Amorim, meanwhile, has since become the Italians’ top choice to become their new manager after axing Massimiliano Allegri.

Rangnick rejects AC Milan job offer

But Rangnick rejected Milan’s advances, explaining: “We were contacted three weeks ago, and there were discussions.

“I made it very clear from the start that I wanted clarity by the beginning of the World Cup, for me, the team, the country, the ÖFB, and my players. That was clearly communicated from the very beginning.”

AFP

Rangnick signs Austria contract extension

Rangnick has since penned fresh terms to remain in charge of Austria until 2028 ahead of the country’s World Cup opener.

The German helped Das Team qualify for FIFA’s showpiece tournament for the first time in 28 years.

“Rangnick ⁠will continue ​the successful run with the Austrian national team and remain in his role with the Austrian ‌Football Association at least until UEFA EURO 2028,” a statement confirming the news said.

“Under Rangnick’s leadership, the Austrian squad has developed exceptionally well both on the field and structurally in recent years and has established itself on ‌the international stage.”

Austria get their World Cup campaign underway against Jordan on Tuesday, before Group J clashes with holders Argentina and Algeria.