Why did Ralf Rangnick leave Manchester United? Austria manager bids for Euro 2024 success after Old Trafford disaster

15/04/2024 13:05

Ralf Rangnick has rebuilt his reputation as Austria manager following the fallout from his disastrous tenure at Manchester United.

The 65-year-old will lead his first-ever team into an international tournament following Unsere Burschen’s qualification for Euro 2024.

Rangnick inherited an Austrian outfit that had missed out on the World Cup in Qatar before he quickly overturned their fortunes.

Austria have lost just once in their past 10 games and even secured an impressive 2-0 win over Euro 2024 hosts Germany in November.

It represents a remarkable turnaround under his stewardship following his difficult spell as interim Man United manager in the second half of the 2021/22 season.

Why did Rangnick leave Man United?

Rangnick announced his Old Trafford exit with immediate effect in May 2022 to focus on his role as manager of the Austrian team.

He became United’s surprise pick to take over from former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a temporary basis in December 2021.

Rangnick was the head of sports and development at Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow when he took up the position in England.

The German, who has also been sporting director at both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, had previously been a target for a similar role at the Red Devils in 2019.

However, his return to the dugout was met with intrigue, having been credited with developing the famed Gegenpressing tactic that influenced the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.

Rangnick was unable to correct United’s faltering season, famously insisting that the club required ‘open heart surgery’.

United won only 38 per cent of their games under him, the worst win percentage of any United manager in the Premier League era.

He later found himself the target of Cristiano Ronaldo’s wrath, with the Portugal icon claiming he didn’t understand Rangnick’s appointment and had never even heard of him.

Rangnick was due to take on a two-year consultancy role – which was agreed as part of his arrival – once Erik ten Hag joined from Ajax.

It was going to require six days work a month for the Red Devils but Rangnick announced he needed full concentration on Austria instead.

A statement released by United read: "We would like to thank Ralf Rangnick for his efforts as interim manager over the past six months.

"By mutual agreement, Ralf will now focus solely on his new role as manager of the Austria national team and will not therefore be taking up a consultancy role at Old Trafford.

"We would like to wish Ralf the best of luck in this next chapter of his career."