Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick is set to become the head coach of Austria this summer.

In an official statement, Manchester United have announced a new role for Ralf Rangnick, who is set to become the new head coach for the Austrian national team at the end of the season. The German tactician will continue his consultancy role as planned, but he will largely serve as the head coach for Austria for the next two years.

Rangnick’s decision to join the international team comes in the aftermath of Manchester United officially appointing Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman is set to replace Rangnick as the club’s manager from next season onwards and is likely to be handed a greater degree of power than previous managers.

“It is an honour for me to take on the role of [Austria] manager. The prospect of contesting the European Championships in Germany with a young team hungry for success fills me with great anticipation,” Rangnick said in an official press release.

The former RB Leipzig manager has penned a two-year deal with Austria, with an option to extend the contract for a further couple of years. The Manchester United interim boss is set to lead the team in the upcoming UEFA Nations League in the summer.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 24: Ralf Rangnick, head coach and sports director of RB Leipzig looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig at Volkswagen Arena on November 24, 2018 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Set to embrace a new challenge. (Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Rangnick’s appointment comes in the aftermath of Austria narrowly losing to Wales to miss out on qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite boasting a strong team full of star players such as Marcel Sabitzer, Sasa Kalajdzic and David Alaba, Austria have consistently underperformed in big tournaments.

Rangnick’s job will be to solve this issue and help build a cohesive unit that will be capable of not only qualifying for UEFA Euro 2024 but also doing well in the tournament. Rangnick, though, insists he will remain focused on his part-time role at Manchester United and help restore the team’s lost glory in the coming years.

“I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with Manchester United. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force again,” the German added in his press release.

It will be interesting to see how Ralf Rangnick teams up with ten Hag to lay the foundation of a future Manchester United setup that will be expected to not only fight for the Premier League title but to reclaim the crown for the first time in a decade.

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