Man Utd flop Rangnick has turned Austria into Euro 2024 dark horses

Tom Weber

Updated: 5 Jun 2024 18:27 BST
4 min read

The Austrian men's national team is thriving under Ralf Rangnick.

Spirits in Austria are high heading into Euro 2024 in neighbouring Germany and much of it is down to the work of Ralf Rangnick. It has been a long time since the Alpine country has been truly relevant in international football - Austria have not qualified for a World Cup since 1998 - but Euro 2024 could be different.

Article continues under the video

In 21 games under the 65-year-old, Austria have lost just five times, most of them coming right at the start of his reign, and drawn three. In fact, only one of those five defeats has come in the past 15 games - a 3-2 loss to Belgium in October 2023.

Rangnick has managed to get Austria to truly show their potential. Given the country's unimpressive record in recent history, Austrian fans are usually pessimistic about their national team, but during the March international break, that tone somewhat shifted.

Indeed, when Austria demolished an abject Turkey 6-1, a German DAZN commentator implored fans to be excited about their team and their prospects at Euro 2024.

Austria have an eminently talented squad and are looking really well-tuned, having once again triumphed over stiff opposition on Tuesday when they saw off Serbia 2-1.

Rangnick was right about Man Utd

It is fair to say Austria are one of the dark horses of the upcoming European Championship and Rangnick, whose contract was automatically extended until the 2026 World Cup upon qualification for Euro 2024, can take much of the credit.

Of course, the days of the German revolutionising football are long gone. One of the pioneers of gegenpressing in Germany, Rangnick's reputation has suffered quite a bit in recent times.

Not only was he the architect of successful but unpopular football projects at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig but his short stint as Man Utd interim boss is not fondly remembered.

During his time at OId Trafford, Rangnick was quite blunt about what needed to change for the Red Devils to get back on their perch, but rather than heeding his message, the 65-year-old was ultimately scapegoated.

History has since proved Rangnick correct, with Erik ten Hag the latest coach to fail at Man Utd and potentially getting the sack shortly. Rangnick did not seem like the right cultural fit in Manchester, but his expertise is still valuable - and valued - elsewhere.

After all, he was a candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich just a few weeks ago. Rather than hiding from the truth, Man Utd's club hierarchy should have listened to him. However, all of this is now in the past.

As far as the present and future are concerned, Rangnick is doing his best to add to his already illustrious legacy.