Ralf Rangnick confirms he will stay at Man Utd amid reports of Austria manager’s role

Ralf Rangnick failed to distance himself from reports linking him with the Austria manager’s job on Thursday night, following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Ahead of the game at Old Trafford, it was widely reported the former RB Leipzig boss is set to take over as Austria’s next manager, despite agreeing to begin a consultancy role with the Red Devils this summer.

But speaking on Thursday, Rangnick said he will ‘definitely’ take up that position ahead of next season, but didn’t rule himself out of becoming the new Austria manager.

“Tonight is our game against Chelsea and I don’t want to speak about anything else. Please accept that and respect that, and only ask questions about tonight’s game,” the German said in the post-match press conference.

Asked if he would comment on whether he had accepeted the job, Rangnick responded: “No. Let us speak about the game. What I can tell you and confirm is that I will definitely continue with my consultancy role at the end of the season and for the next two years. I am looking forward to that.

“We have not spoken, Erik [ten Hag] and myself,” he continued. “But we have spoke to the board about the profile of the consultancy role, that’s why I can confirm I will definitely continue with that at the end of the season.”

United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea leaves them in sixth place and five points off Arsenal, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot. However, the Gunners have played two games fewer than Rangnick’s men.

It was a night where United once again failed to impress at Old Trafford, and were fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half strike rescuing a point for the Red Devils, only a few minutes after Marcos Alonso scored for Chelsea.