Rangnick lands Austria job but will still take up backroom United role

Interim Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick will take over as Austria boss at the end of May.

The German will move into a consultancy role at Old Trafford following Erik ten Hag’s arrival at the end of the season.

And he is set to perform those duties alongside the Austria job rather than cut all ties with United, who have confirmed he will join their backroom team as planned.

Rangnick said: "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.

"It's an honour for me to take on the role of team boss. I'm particularly excited about the prospect of contesting the European Championships in Germany with a young team hungry for success."

Austria have been managerless since Franco Foda left following their failure to qualify for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

The German, 63, will take up his post in the build-up to Austria's Nations League games with Croatia, Denmark and France, which take place at the beginning of June.

And the Austrian FA were thrilled to appoint the ex-RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim boss, who signed a two-year deal that will be extended if he qualifies for Euro 2024.

Sporting director Peter Schotte said: "After a very well-founded and intensive process, we were able to appoint Ralf Rangnick, an absolute top man with a great international reputation as team boss. 

"That makes me very proud and I'm really looking forward to working together."