Most recently, according to media reports and various interviews with Bayern officials, it was more likely that the decision would be in favor of Bayern. Two days after Munich’s 2-2 draw in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, everything turned out differently. The employer of ÖFB ace Konrad Laimer has to conjure up a new variant out of the hat after the rejections of the desired coaches Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Nagelsmann (DFB team boss) and now Rangnick as the successor to the outgoing Thomas Tuchel in the summer.
“I would like to expressly emphasize that this is not a rejection of FC Bayern, but rather a decision for my team and our common goals. Our full concentration is on the European Championships. We will do everything we can to get as far as possible there,” said Rangnick. The final round starts on June 14th in Germany. The ÖFB team will face France (June 17th), Poland (June 21st) and the Netherlands (June 25th) in Group D. Surviving the group phase and making it to the round of 16 is the minimum goal.
This would have been jeopardized by a change by Rangnick, even if it had only taken place after the tournament. The team boss topic would have caused discussions both in preparation and in the final round. The ÖFB camp was all the more pleased that the intensive efforts to convince Rangnick to stay had been successful. “We are extremely happy with his decision. We understood that he had two very attractive options and gave him time to consider everything calmly. We are proud that he chose Austria,” said ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel.
“He chose us. I think this will give us another boost ahead of the EURO. Of course, we’re all really looking forward to getting started with him and playing a great EURO,” said team player Christoph Baumgartner on ORF television. Fellow coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, who works for VfL Wolfsburg in Germany, congratulated his home country Austria, “because I just think he’s doing an outstanding job.”
ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer was also pleased about the “clear commitment” to a common future. “We were always very confident that the heart and team spirit, but also the design options, were very good arguments. “All of us together we will now go into the EURO even stronger,” revealed the Carinthian. Rangnick then wants to cause a sensation with the ÖFB team at the 2026 World Cup. His contract initially runs until the end of qualification in 2025 and would automatically be extended until the summer of 2026 if he takes part in the World Cup.
Rangnick doesn’t have an exit clause, which is why the ÖFB would have had to give its okay if Rangnick wanted to leave. In the rumor mill, various sums of millions had recently been traded as transfer demands. The people of Munich would certainly have liked to invest this money to finally bring the tiresome coaching issue to a close. On Tuesday evening after the Real game, the Munich club bosses sounded optimistic, spoke of good negotiations with the former Bundesliga coach and indicated that Rangnick would make a decision shortly.
“Completely surprising. “Rangnick not joining Bayern,” was the headline in “Bild” on Thursday morning. The coaching carousel at the second place in the German Bundesliga continues to turn.