Ralf Rangnick has still not extended his expiring contract with the ÖFB. According to a media report, Austria’s national team coach met on Tuesday with officials from AC Milan, who are apparently looking for an alternative following the reported rejection of Andoni Iraola.
According to a report in the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, ÖFB head coach Ralf Rangnick met with AC Milan officials in Vienna on Tuesday. The report states that club owner Gerry Cardinale and advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic traveled to Vienna to speak with the German.
“My sole point of contact regarding contract talks or negotiations is and remains the ÖFB,” the 67-year-old said at a press conference for his foundation in Vienna. Rangnick did not deny the meeting with the Italians: “Everyone has seen that something extraordinary has happened there in recent days.”
Iraola turned down Milan
Following a disastrous season, Milan parted ways with its entire sporting leadership at the start of the week. In addition to coach Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, former CEO Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada also left the club after failing to qualify for the Champions League. RedBird Capital Partners, Cardinale’s U.S. investment firm, has been the majority owner of the historic club since summer 2022.
Milan had already tried to sign Rangnick in 2020—unsuccessfully at the time. Six years later, the 67-year-old is reportedly being considered for a dual role as coach and manager, a position that would also give him influence over transfer decisions. According to Gazzetta (Wednesday edition), Rangnick is considered an alternative to former Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola from Spain, in whom the Milanese were also interested. However, according to a report by the news platform Bilbao Hiria from Iraola’s home country, the 43-year-old is said to have rejected Milan’s offer.
Rangnick’s talks with the ÖFB are ongoing
Rangnick joined the ÖFB in May 2022; immediately prior to that, he served as an advisor and interim coach at Manchester United. The Swabian has not yet signed a new contract as head coach, although positive discussions have been reported consistently in recent months. “We are in regular contact and engaged in talks,” Rangnick assured. However, details are likely still to be worked out. “If we had already reached an agreement, it would have been announced by now.”
The talks are being conducted in a very trusting and open manner—between his advisor Raphael Honigstein and himself on one side, and ÖFB Supervisory Board Chairman Josef Pröll and Managing Director Bernhard Neuhold on the other. “We haven’t set a specific timeline,” Rangnick said regarding a possible contract extension. “When the time comes, we will announce it.” This could even happen before the World Cup. The tournament, for which Austria has qualified for the first time in 28 years, begins on June 11.