Austrian coach Ralf Rangnick has confirmed he has held talks with Bayern Munich to become their next head coach.
Bayern are looking for a new head coach and Thomas Tuchel is expected to leave at the end of the campaign.
Rangnick told Austrian media 90 minutes that Bayern have approached him for the job, and while he does not appear to rule out a move, the 65-year-old indicated that he would have to weigh several factors before making a decision.
“Bayern Munich contacted me and I also informed the OFB (Austrian Football Association),” Ragnick said. “We have a very trusting relationship. My focus is on the Austrian national team.
“We are fully focused on the European Championship. I feel very comfortable here. At the moment, I have no reason to focus intensively and specifically on this point.”
Pressed on when that “moment” might come, he added: “The moment when Bayern would say, ‘We want you.’ And then I have to ask myself, ‘Do I really want that?’
“If I want to do something else, I will discuss it with the OFB first.
“We want to take care of this team (Austria) as best as possible – and do the best we can. I maintain a close and trusting relationship with my team. It’s not going to work better just because I say, “I’ll definitely be here for the next four years.” »
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When asked if a possible move could be financially related, he replied: “No, it doesn’t matter to me at all. For me, it’s about other things: can I make a difference? Is there a chance to develop a team and achieve success? That’s what motivates me. When that no longer motivates me, it’s time to retire.
Rangnick spent seven months in charge of Manchester United on an interim basis during the 2021-22 season, before becoming manager of the Austria men’s national team on a two-year contract which expired this year. This deal, however, was automatically extended until the 2026 World Cup after Austria sealed their qualification for Euro 2024 after finishing in second place in Group F, behind Belgium and ahead of Sweden, winning six of his eight matches.
Rangnick has extensive management experience, having taken charge of Hannover, Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. Additionally, he notably guided lesser-known German club Ulm to their first appearance in the Bundesliga at the turn of the century.
He also excelled as a football managerserving Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig from 2012 to 2020. Among these roles, he also briefly held managerial roles at Leipzig before becoming director of sports and development at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in 2021.
Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, ended Bayern’s 11-year championship run earlier this month, while the Munich side also lost the German Super Cup to Leipzig and exited the DFB-Pokal in the second round after their defeat against FC Saarbrucken, third division.
Tuchel’s side, however, remain in the Champions League and will face Real Madrid in the last four after eliminating Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
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(GEORG HOCHMUTH/APA/AFP via Getty Images)