Tug of war over team boss

Whole country to Rangnick: “Please, stay with us!”

Ralf Rangnick (right) has already scored a lot of sympathy points as ÖFB team boss.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

FC Bayern is leaning more and more towards Austria's team manager Ralf Rangnick in its search for a coach. The Munich club wants a quick decision. There has been no contact with the ÖFB yet.

The rumor has been going around for weeks - now it seems to be much more than that: According to German media reports, Ralf Rangnick has a good chance of becoming the new coach of Bayern Munich. The German newspaper "Sport Bild" reported yesterday that contact between the German record champions and the 65-year-old is now being intensified and their mutual expectations are being compared.

Schöttel: "The focus is on EURO 2024"
Does Austria's team have to worry about its team manager just two months before the opening match at the EURO in Düsseldorf against France? Peter Schöttel referred to the German's current contract: "Ralf Rangnick has a valid contract, the ÖFB has not received any inquiries. The full focus is on EURO 2024," said the ÖFB sports director.

ÖFB sporting director Peter Schöttel (left) and team manager Ralf Rangnick(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The fact is that Bayern have already turned down Xabi Alonso (staying in Leverkusen) and Julian Nagelsmann (extending his contract as German team manager until 2026), and Unai Emery is also no longer an issue: As the 52-year-old has committed himself to Aston Villa until 2027, according to The Athletic.

Advocates in Munich
Munich, led by sporting director Max Eberl, want to settle Thomas Tuchel's succession quickly, and a decision this week seems to be the goal. Rangnick certainly has advocates in Munich, including sporting director Christoph Freund, with whom he worked successfully in Salzburg.

Rangnick must make a decision.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

It seems clear that a high transfer fee would be due in the event of his departure. Eberl recently said: "We hope that things will soon be on the home straight. Because we want to do it as quickly as possible, but also as thoroughly as possible." Rangnick's management said briefly and concisely yesterday: "No comment!"

"Please, stay with us!"
The departure of Rangnick, who has been in charge since June 2022 (record: twelve wins, three draws in 20 games), would be a huge loss for Austria's team - and the fans are also hoping that the German will stay beyond the EURO. The reactions in the interviews with the "Krone" show that the topic is on the minds of the country - both the men and the women. "It would be a great pity to lose Ralf Rangnick. Under him, the team shows self-confidence and enthusiasm - it's fun to watch," they said yesterday. Or: "Under Rangnick, our national team has developed further and triggered a new euphoria." Everyone was united by an appeal to our team boss: "Please, stay with us!" The next few days will bring clarity.