Ralf Rangnick has signed a contract extension to remain as the manager of Austria through to 2028, the Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) announced on Thursday. The extension comes just days before Austria begin their campaign at the 2026 World Cup, facing Jordan on Tuesday night.
Rangnick initially took charge of the national team four years ago and guided them to the round of 16 at Euro 2024, where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Turkey. This marked his first major tournament as Austria’s head coach. The timing of the announcement has raised some eyebrows, coming so close to the start of the World Cup.
Prior to managing Austria, Rangnick held prominent roles at clubs such as Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, where he was known for his innovative tactical approaches and player development. He has a reputation for building high-pressing, energetic teams. His managerial career also includes spells at Schalke 04 and Manchester United, the latter as interim manager during the 2021-22 season.
The ÖFB clearly demonstrated their faith in Rangnick’s project by offering him a long-term deal. The extension suggests the federation believes Rangnick can lead Austria to further success and potentially qualify for future major tournaments, building on the progress made at Euro 2024. This commitment provides stability and allows Rangnick to fully focus on developing the team over the coming years.
