Ralf Rangnick’s reputation took a hit during his brief tenure as Manchester United’s interim manager, with Cristiano Ronaldo publicly questioning his credentials.
However, Rangnick is redeeming himself at Euro 2024, leading Austria to a surprising top spot in their group, ahead of France and the Netherlands.
Despite his previous struggles, Rangnick’s coaching expertise, dubbed “gegenpressing,” has long been respected in Germany, influencing coaches like Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel. His success with smaller clubs, like Hannover and Hoffenheim, has translated to Austria’s impressive performance at the Euros.
Austria’s qualification for the tournament was remarkable, finishing second in their group behind Belgium. Rangnick’s impact was evident, with midfielder Marcel Sabitzer praising the team’s development under his leadership. Even Bayern Munich took notice, considering him as a potential successor to Tuchel.
Rangnick’s decision to stay with Austria has paid off, as they advanced to the knockout phase with wins over Poland and the Netherlands. Their next challenge is a round-of-16 match against Turkey on July 2.
Rangnick’s achievement is all the more impressive given Austria’s underdog status, and he’s proving his doubters wrong. His reputation as a coach and executive is being rewritten at Euro 2024, and it will be fascinating to see how far Austria can go under his guidance.