Ralf Rangnick Rejects Bayern Munich Offer,Remains Committedto Austria

Ralf Rangnick, the 65-year-old head coach of the Austrian national team, has announced his decision to continue in his current role, turning down an offer from Bayern Munich to become their new manager. The German coach, who has led Austria to an impressive run of form and secured qualification for Euro 2024, expressed his commitment to the team and their shared goals.

In a statement released by the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), Rangnick said, "I am the Austrian team boss with all my heart. This job gives me incredible joy and I'm determined to successfully continue on our chosen path." He emphasized that his decision was not a rejection of Bayern Munich, but rather a choice to focus on his current team and their upcoming Euro 2024 campaign.

Since taking charge of Austria in April 2022, Rangnick has guided the team to a record of eight wins and only one loss in 10 matches. This impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with Bayern Munich identifying him as a top candidate to succeed outgoing boss Thomas Tuchel. However, Rangnick's commitment to Austria has left the Bundesliga giants searching for alternative options.

Bayern Munich officials had been vocal in their praise of Rangnick, with president Herbert Hainer stating that the German coach would be a "very good choice" for the team, citing his skills in developing players and teams. Despite this, Rangnick has chosen to prioritize his role with Austria and their Euro 2024 aspirations.

Rangnick's decision comes as several other high-profile candidates, including Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, and Unai Emery, have also ruled themselves out of contention for the Bayern Munich job. The Bavarian club, who have struggled domestically this season and trail Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen by 12 points, face a challenging task in finding a suitable replacement for Tuchel.

The Austrian Football Association expressed their delight at Rangnick's decision to continue being the national team's head coach. ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel said,"We're extremely happy about his decision... We're proud that he has chosen Austria."

As Austria prepares for Euro 2024, Rangnick's focus will be on guiding the team to success in the tournament. With his proven track record of developing players and teams, Austria will be looking to make a significant impact on the European stage under his leadership. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich's search for a new head coach continues, with the club facing the challenge of finding a suitable candidate who can lead them back to domestic and European success.

Key Takeaways

• Ralf Rangnick turns down Bayern Munich's offer to remain Austria's head coach.
• Rangnick led Austria to Euro 2024 qualification with 8 wins and 1 loss in 10 matches.
• Bayern Munich sought Rangnick as a top candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel.
• Rangnick prioritizes Austria's Euro 2024 campaign over Bayern Munich's offer.
• Bayern Munich continues searching for a new head coach after Rangnick's rejection.