Rangnick turns down Bayern Munich to stay with Austria

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Ralf Rangnick has decided to remain in his role as head coach of the Austria national team, spurning the opportunity to succeed Thomas Tuchel as Bayern Munich manager.

The former interim Manchester United manager, who will guide Austria at this summer's European Championship in Germany, had been heavily linked with the manager's job at Bayern.

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"I am the Austrian team boss with all my heart," Rangnick said in a statement on Thursday.

"I really enjoy this task and am determined to successfully continue on our chosen path.

"I would like to expressly emphasize that this is not a rejection of FC Bayern, but rather a decision for my team and our common goals. Our full concentration is on the European Championships. We will do everything we can to get as far as possible!"

Rangnick confirmed on April 24 that he had been approached over their soon-to-be vacant manager role, but added he was not sure if he would take up the opportunity.

The 65-year-old took over as Austria head coach in April 2022 following a disappointing spell in charge at United in which they finished sixth in the Premier League with a club record-low 58 points.

Bayern have been on the look out for a new head coach since announcing in February that Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season.

Despite their progress to the semifinals of the Champions League, the Bavarian side have endured a difficult campaign domestically as they trail Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen by 12 points.

Leverkusen boss and former Bayern midfielder Xabi Alonso had been linked with the job but has announced his intention to remain with his unbeaten team, while the man Tuchel replaced as manager, Julian Nagelsmann, also turned down a return to Bayern and will continue as Germany head coach.

Rangnick took Schalke to the Champions League semifinals in 2011 and led Hoffenheim to the Bundesliga, securing back-to-back promotions in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

However, he is perhaps best known for his time as director of football at RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg. The German coach helped to build both clubs into established, successful teams in Europe and their domestic competitions before being promoted to head of sport and development for Red Bull.

Under Rangnick, Austria qualified for Euro 2024 with one loss in 10 games, winning eight.