Ralf Rangnick refused to open up on reports he is to become the new Austria head coach – but insisted he will stay at Manchester United in his consultancy role.
The German is approaching the end of his interim managerial tenure at Old Trafford. Amid a poor run of form for the Red Devils, many have sought clarity on the club’s plan for next season.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will succeed Rangnick in the dugout and will arrive with an exciting reputation.
The confirmation of the new manager has subsequently seen the attention turn to Rangnick’s future. He signed up to a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford from this summer when he arrived in November.
However, doubt emerged – particularly on Thursday – as to whether he would fulfil that role. Indeed, the Austrian FA have reportedly tempted Rangnick to become their new head coach. Conflicting reports claimed that he could handle both jobs or even walk away from United entirely.
Speaking after Thursday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea, Rangnick insisted that he will not leave Old Trafford this summer. However, he admitted that the consultancy role leaves room for more work elsewhere.
“I want to speak tonight about Manchester United and our game and the rest of the season here,” he told Sky Sports when asked about the reports.
“This is the issue and I can also confirm that I will definitely continue at the end of the season with my consultancy role.
“We have definitely agreed now on the content and also the time of my consultancy role.
“As I said, so far myself and Erik haven’t spoken, but hopefully it will probably happen in the future. I’m more than happy and willing to help and change things for the better.”
Asked about taking on two commitments, Rangnick said: “It would leave space for another job, but that’s what we had agreed to start with in November last year.”
As for Man Utd‘s current end to the season, Cristiano Ronaldo rescued them a point against Chelsea.
Rangnick talks Ronaldo, Man Utd and Ten Hag
Marcos Alonso fired the visitors into the lead after 60 minutes. However, the Portugal star responded moments later with a bullet-like goal of his own.
Doubt remains over whether Ronaldo will buy into Ten Hag’s methods, whether the new manager wants him and whether Ronaldo himself wants to stay.
However, Rangnick insisted that his performance against the Blues showed he still has a lot to offer.
“Not only the goal that he scored today, his whole performance,” the 63-year-old said.
“The way he helped out in our own half, at the age of 37 a player like him, this is not normal to do that.
“He showed that today and if he plays like he played today, he can still be a great help for this team.
“In the end it’s also Erik and Chris’s decision what they want to do. It’s not for me to speak about that, but as I said today the performance of Chris was really great.”
United return to action on Monday when facing Brentford in their final home game of the season.
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