The negotiations surrounding Ralf Rangnick continue to gather pace. The 65-year-old has already given Bayern a commitment in principle. However, the Austrian Football Association does not want to let its team manager go without a fight, as ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer has emphasised.
Despite the ongoing negotiations with Rangnick, an agreement with the Austrian Football Association is still pending. Rangnick is still under contract with the Austrian Football Association until 2026: „We greatly appreciate the work Rangnick is doing and would like to see him remain a part of our team,“ explained the association’s president Klaus Mitterdorfer in an interview with ORF yesterday, Sunday.
Interestingly, according to Mitterdorfer, there is still justified hope in Austria: „I am in dialogue with the team boss. He has not yet made a final decision. We are still trying to convey to him that we would find it valuable if he stayed in Austria. We also spoke to him about it today, but the final decision is up to him.“
Decision to be made in the first week of May
Mitterdorfer emphasises that Rangnick’s motivation is not primarily of a financial nature, but rather his ability to exert influence and his connection to the Austrian football community: „I believe that what is important for a person like Ralf Rangnick is his ability to contribute. In all areas. He realises how he inspires the players. How he inspires the Austrian football family,“ said the ÖFB President. However, he also assumes that „there will be a decision very, very soon. I believe it will happen in the first week of May.“
However, there have not yet been any talks with Bayern: „There has not yet been any contact with Bayern Munich and I am not dealing with this issue. Our big goal is to keep Ralf Rangnick here in Austria as a great coach.“
ÖFB demands high transfer fee
The association is insisting on a high transfer fee in any case, should Rangnick leave. According to reports, a transfer fee in the double-digit millions is on the table, while Bayern are hoping for a concession. However, the results of the discussions between Rangnick and FC Bayern are positive. Ralf Rangnick is said to have given FC Bayern a clear signal that he is ready to take over from Thomas Tuchel in the summer.
