Ralf Rangnick accepts role to become Austria manager

The German has signed a two-year contract

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has accepted an offer to become the new manager of the Austrian national side. The 63-year-old German replaces Franco Foda as Austria boss, but The Athletic previously reported that the role was not expected to impact his plan to work in a consultancy role at United. Rangnick - who was appointed as the Red Devils' interim manager in November last year - is due to begin a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford at the end of the season, and will juggle that position with the Austria job. Austria are currently ranked 34th in the FIFA rankings. They reached the last-16 of Euro 2020 but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. They have been without a manager since March when Foda resigned. Rangnick confirmed the news in a statement which 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." https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1519993220033388544 Speaking earlier this week, Rangnick insisted that he was determined to help United "change for the better" once he moves into his consultancy role. "Yes I will be (here next season)," he said, when asked about his planned two-year consultancy position. "I’m looking forward to working in that advisory role and obviously help Erik as much as he wants it himself. "So far we haven’t been able to speak with each other and we have had no contact — he has his focus on Ajax, I have my focus on Manchester United here. "But obviously I’m more than willing and prepared to help both Erik and whomever in the club in order to change everything for the better." The former RB Leipzig manager has won just eight of his 17 Premier League matches in charge of the Old Trafford club, with the Red Devils suffering recent defeats to both Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as a draw to Chelsea on Thursday night. Related links:

• Man United interim boss Ralf Rangnick considering Austria manager’s role
• Nemanja Vidić tells Harry Maguire to ask Rangnick for time out of the team
• Ralf Rangnick says lack of physicality is biggest issue with Man United squad