Ralf Rangnick could walk away from his contracted consultancy role at Manchester United after being offered the Austrian national team job, according to reports.
The 63-year-old was named as the Red Devils interim boss at the end of last year, tasked with picking up the pieces from the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s reign. Rangnick initially stated he could stay on beyond this summer, but a miserable run of recent form meant that was never a serious possibility.
Erik ten Hag was confirmed as Rangnick’s permanent successor last week, with the Ajax boss set to take full control from the start of pre-season. However, the German tactician looked set to stay on at Old Trafford, having been offered a two-year role in an advisory capacity.
And speaking earlier this week, Rangnick suggested he was ready to work alongside Ten Hag and liaise with the new boss about moving the club forward.
“I strongly believe that there is a lot of things that can become better and will become better with a new manager and hopefully with some new players, with some fresh energy in that squad," he declared.
"With this group of new players and the quality of players that are already here, together with the new manager, I am very positive that next season will be a lot better. I am looking forward to working in that advisory role and obviously helping Erik as much as he wants it himself.
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"Obviously, I am more than willing and prepared to help both Erik and whomever in the club in order to change everything for the better."
Despite that arrangement, a report from the Daily Mail claims that Rangnick is considering an offer from the Austrian FA, with claims from Vienna stating he could be announced as soon as Friday morning. Earlier this month, the football association in Austria were forced to deny rumours that Rangnick was poised to replace Franco Foda.
At the time, they released a statement which read: "Clarification: There was no meeting between OFB sports director Peter Schottel and Ralf Rangnick, coach of @ManUtd."
Austrian football chiefs are on the lookout for a new manager after Foda resigned from the role in March following the World Cup play-off defeat by Wales. Gareth Bale scored twice in a 2-1 victory for the Dragons to send them through to the final qualifying round, where they will face Scotland or Ukraine.
A publication from the country claims that ÖFB president Gerhard Milletich and Sports Director Peter Schottel are set to announce the new manager at 11am on Friday April 29, with Rangnick named as the potential successor to Foda.
Rangnick’s long-term role at Old Trafford has remained somewhat of a mystery - with the belief he could only be required a few days a month - and the Athletic report that he could yet juggle the two jobs. United take on Chelsea on Thursday, with just four games separating the Red Devils from the end of what has proven to be a miserably underwhelming campaign.
