The contract of Austria team boss Ralf Rangnick expires after the 2026 World Cup. The German has rejected the first offer for an extension – despite the prospect of a salary increase.
Austria and team manager Ralf Rangnick are taking the first steps towards the 2026 World Cup in Marbella these days. Whether the 67-year-old will still be coach of the national team after the finals in North America remains to be seen. Although sporting director Peter Schöttel has recently expressed his optimism regarding a contract extension, an agreement between Rangnick and the ÖFB is not yet in sight. According to a report in the Salzburger Nachrichten, the German is said to have rejected the first offer from the association.
According to the report, Rangnick was “not completely in agreement” with the offer. According to SN, this is not due to financial reasons, as the ÖFB is prepared to double the salary to two million euros per year. This would be made possible by four sponsors – including Raiffeisen, Uniqa and IMMOunited – who would cover half of Rangnick’s salary with special financing. The ÖFB is aiming for an extension until the 2028 European Championships.
Rangnick decision to be made before the World Cup
ÖFB supervisory board chairman Josef Pröll confirmed the SN report to ORF on Wednesday. “Ralf Rangnick and I are in good talks. But it still needs time. We are working on a complete package. As long as that doesn’t exist, nothing is fixed,” said Austria’s former vice-chancellor. According to APA information, the Supervisory Board has authorized Pröll to offer the improved remuneration.
However, several members of the supervisory board are also said to have demanded a performance clause in the form of reaching the knockout phase at the World Cup. This could still become a bargaining chip. The money is no longer a problem, according to reports from Rangnick’s circle on Wednesday.
Rangnick insists on a professional working environment
In addition to the sporting development of the team, Rangnick is primarily concerned with making processes within the association more efficient and breaking up outdated structures. The 67-year-old already enjoys a high standing with the players. Thanks to his many years of persuasion, he recently succeeded in winning Paul Wanner and Carney Chukwuemeka for the red-white-red national team.
Rangnick had recently stated that he felt “no undue time pressure” with regard to a contract extension. Nevertheless, the decision on the future of the German, who has been in office since mid-2022, is to be made before the World Cup. At the earliest, this will be in April after the international matches against Ghana (Friday, 6pm) and South Korea.
