Official: Rangnick turns down Bayern
FC Bayern München's search for a new head-coach must head in a different direction after it was confirmed on Thursday morning that Ralf Rangnick will remain with Austria's national football team.
The 65-year-old will instead fulfill his contract with the Austrian ÖFB, which runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup. Both the ÖFB and Rangnick issued statements early Thursday.
"We still have big plans," ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer noted in a statements, "We're delighted with Ralf's clear commitment. We were always very confident that we had sold arguments [to keep Rangnick in his position]. Together, we will now go into the EURO even stronger."
"My heart is fully committed to being the Austrian team trainer," Rangnick himself added in a separate statement, "This task gives me an incredible amount of joy and am determined to successfully continue along our chosen path."
"I would like to emphasize that this is not a rejection of FC Bayern," the statement continues, "but a decision for my team and our common goals. Our full concentration is on the European Championship. We will do everything we can to advance as far as possible."
It now remains unclear as to who Bayern will target next for their vacant head-coaching position. Reportedly preferred candidates Xabi Alonso (Bayer) and Julian Nagelsmann (DFB) both opted to decline and extend with their current organizations.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen released an unequivocal statement regarding the future of current head-coach Thomas Tuchel yesterday.
Dreesen noted that the German giants will not be reversing course on Tuchel, even in the event that Bayern win the Champions League.