FC Bayern Munich has received the next rejection of a preferred candidate in its search for a coach. Ralf Rangnick will remain national coach in Austria beyond the 2024 European Championship, the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) announced on Thursday. First they had Bild reported on Rangnick’s rejection. “I am the Austrian team boss with all my heart. This task gives me incredible joy and I am determined to successfully continue on our chosen path,” said Rangnick in the ÖFB announcement. “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.”
Rangnick was recently considered the clear favorite to succeed Thomas Tuchel: The 65-year-old was promoted to the record champions’ dream solution after Xabi Alonso was rejected by champions Bayer Leverkusen and national coach Julian Nagelsmann. Tuchel’s contract will be terminated early in the summer. On Tuesday evening after the Champions League game against Real Madrid, the Munich club bosses sounded optimistic and indicated that Rangnick would make a decision shortly. The ÖFB is now “extremely happy,” said association sports director Peter Schöttel: “We understood that he had two very attractive options and gave him the time to weigh everything up in peace. We are proud that he chose Austria Has decided.”