Rangnick set for top job after being proven RIGHT about Man Utd

Tom Weber

• Updated: 26 Mar 2025 17:52 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Ralf Rangnick is in the frame to become Borussia Dortmund's sporting director this summer, according to German media.

The 66-year-old looked to have found an excellent new job when he took over the Austrian national team in 2022. He turned the perennial underperformers into a free-flowing, fun-to-watch side and helped them qualify for Euro 2024.

READ MORE: The best paid Premier League players, including Haaland, Salah and Sterling

Upon confirmation that Austria would take part in last year's tournament in Germany, Rangnick's contract was automatically extended until the 2026 World Cup. However, it is looking increasingly as though he will not see out his deal.

In October 2024, reports out of Austria emerged detailing just how tense the situation at the federation actually was. The outspoken Rangnick was reportedly becoming increasingly unpopular due to getting involved in things his higher-ups felt were none of his business.

Moreover, Rangnick was accused of assembling a bloated staff that was proving to be an unnecessary drain on the Austrian federation's limited resources.

READ MORE: Man Utd want €50m No.9 as SHOCK deal changes everything

Rangnick to Dortmund?

BILD now reports that Rangnick could quit Austria due to his frequent clashes with officials and that he is one of the candidates considered for a key role at Borussia Dortmund.

When Dortmund sacked head coach Nuri Sahin over the winter, Rangnick was approached but turned down the offer. It is claimed that BVB are now mulling over whether he would make a good sporting director.

The role is currently occupied by legendary former player Sebastian Kehl, who was handed a new contract until 2027 in January. However, due to the dire state of the team, club chiefs feel a major reckoning is necessary this summer.

Dortmund have been heavily criticised, especially by their own fans, for filling important roles with people who were either already in-house or had a previous connection with the club.

The German phrase 'Stallgeruch' (literally 'stable smell') has derisively been used to describe Dortmund's practice of bringing in people who essentially 'smell' familiar.

It is now increasingly felt that Dortmund need a fresh impulse from outside, that they must bring in someone who is not afraid to make radical changes. The confrontational and divisive but very successful and experienced Rangnick is seen as a perfect candidate.

Rangnick, of course, once famously said that Man Utd would require 'open-heart surgery' to fix the club and was subsequently proven correct. He is likely to come to a similar conclusion should he take the Dortmund job.

As for the coaching role, Rangnick would not be expected to take on a dual position that would also see him lead the team. Some within Dortmund feel that Niko Kovac has done enough to justify being retained, but there is an acceptance that they shouldn't keep him if he misses out on European qualification.

There is a clause in Kovac's contract that allows Dortmund to sack him for a reduced compensation fee if they fail to get into Europe. A new coach would have to be brought in before the Club World Cup - perhaps one chosen by Rangnick.