Ralf Rangnick weighing up Austria offer and could walk away from Manchester United consultancy role

Ralf Rangnick is ready to turn his back on a two-year consultancy at Manchester United and become the new manager of Austria.

Rangnick is understood to be considering the offer from the Austrian FA, and a formal announcement could be made as early as Friday.

The 63-year-old German still has four games left as United’s interim manager – starting with Thursday night’s clash at home to Chelsea – before stepping into an unspecified consultancy role at Old Trafford in the summer.

Ralf Rangnick is ready to turn his back on his two-year consultancy role at Manchester United

He is understood to be considering an offer from the Austrian FA to become their new boss

But Rangnick has been tempted by the opportunity to succeed Franco Foda as Austria boss and could sever his links with United at the end of the season.

The Premier League club refused to comment on Thursday. 

The Austrian FA denied suggestions earlier this month that Rangnick had met with their sporting director Peter Schottel in Manchester, but FA president Gerhard Milletich is expected to announce the new coach in Vienna on Friday and there is growing speculation that the former Schalke and RB Leipzig boss could get the job.

Rangnick’s consultancy role has remained somewhat vague ever since he joined United from Lokomotiv Moscow in December as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary replacement. 

The 63-year-old has been tempted by the opportunity to succeed Franco Foda (pictured)

Rangnick was hired in November but has struggled to inspire his side to a top-four finish

It was thought that he could step into a senior role and even have a major say in the choice of new manager, but Rangnick admitted that he hasn’t even spoken to Erik ten Hag.

Indeed, the terms of his contract at United for the next two years only involve working as few as six days a month. 

On that basis he could feasibly do both jobs although that scenario seems unlikely. 

Even so, it would be a shock if Rangnick left to become Austria coach after saying as recently as Friday that he wanted to remain part of the United set-up following Ten Hag’s arrival.

Despite there being just four games left, the details around his consultancy position are vague

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag will take the reins at Old Trafford for the start of the next campaign

‘Of course, I would want to be part of the process that has to happen,’ said Rangnick. ‘But right now, I don’t know how this is really being appreciated. 

‘This is the question and it’s also important how does Erik ten Hag see that. Does he like to speak with someone like myself? Does he want to work together?

‘How much does Erik ten Hag and the board want my opinion and my experience? That’s what we haven’t spoken about.

‘I am interested and very much feeling this club after those five-and-a-half months. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world.’